Hawker Beechcraft T-6 Trainer Continues to Earn High Marks around the World

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation’s (HBC) T-6 military trainer continues to exhibit strength in the global marketplace as it demonstrates versatility, exceptional adaptability and dependability in a variety of roles. The T-6 is currently being evaluated by military forces in Africa and India, as well as the United States.

“The T-6 continues to provide countries around the world with an affordable, reliable and proven option as a primary military trainer, while the AT-6 provides a formidable option for light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft,” said Jim Maslowski, HBC president, U.S. and International Government Business.

HBC’s demonstrator T-6 trainer was recently displayed at the African Aerospace & Defense (AAD) Expo in Cape Town, South Africa. It was flown from HBC’s headquarters in Wichita, Kan., to the AAD site at Ysterplaat Air Force Base – a distance of 9,461 miles – in a total elapsed time of nearly 39 hours. The trip included stops in Algeria, Nigeria, Gabon, Angola and Namibia.

The aircraft then continued its journey to participate in field trials conducted by the Indian Air Force at Air Force Station Jamnagar in India. Throughout its eight-week tour covering an impressive 26,412 miles and 110 flight hours, the T-6 did not experience any maintenance issues.

Deliveries of the T-6 began in 2000 after the aircraft was initially selected to fill the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System role for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. Since then, additional military programs worldwide, including NATO Flying Training in Canada, the Hellenic Air Force of Greece, the Israeli Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force and the Royal Moroccan Air Force, have chosen the T-6 as their primary trainers.

The Beechcraft T-6 offers military organizations worldwide the most proven and most cost- effective training system available today. The T-6 is a primary trainer aircraft that accommodates instruction in instrument flight procedures and basic aerial maneuvers. In addition, the T-6 delivers an outstanding training capability that is appropriate for the most basic introductory flight training through more challenging and complex advanced training missions. To date, the aircraft has been used to train pilots in approximately 20 different countries.

The AT-6 draws its heritage from HBC’s T-6 A/B/C Texan trainer aircraft. Designed to provide close air support and meet the demands of the irregular warfare environment, the AT-6 is outfitted with a more powerful engine, a variety of self-protection mechanisms, multiple secure communications functions, advanced intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, and the ability to employ both precision and non-precision weapons.

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special-mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.