In a special ceremony today, Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) celebrated the delivery of the 600th Beechcraft T-6 – the world’s most proven military training aircraft. The U.S. Navy took delivery of the milestone aircraft, a T-6B, which will be based at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Fla. The T-6 is versatile, safe and effective for basic and advanced flight training tasks.
“We all take pride in this milestone and this aircraft program,” said Jim Maslowski, president, U.S. and International Government Business. “For more than 70 years, Hawker Beechcraft and its predecessor companies have been meeting and exceeding mission needs for militaries around the world. We look forward to continuing this proud tradition.”
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 and its derivatives as their primary trainers.
With a top speed of 316 knots, a +7.0G to -3.5G airframe and an advanced digital cockpit, it is equally adept at teaching the most advanced aerobatic maneuvers and simulated combat training tasks. To date, the T-6 has been used to train pilots and navigators from approximately 20 different countries. In addition to the T-6, Hawker Beechcraft is rolling out a light attack version of the aircraft, the AT-6, in order to meet rapidly emerging needs for irregular warfare capabilities around the world.
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.