WICHITA, Kan. (March 7, 2013) – Beechcraft Defense Company today announced that it has delivered the 800th Beechcraft T-6 – the most proven and cost effective military training aircraft. The milestone aircraft was among two Beechcraft T-6Bs delivered this week to the United States Navy’s Training Air Wing 4 based at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. Training Air Wing 4 has now received 16 of a total of 98 T-6Bs scheduled to replace an aged fleet of T-34 aircraft for primary flight training.
“As many military programs have already discovered, the Beechcraft T-6B will enable the U.S. Navy to train naval aviators at Corpus Christi more efficiently, more effectively and safer than ever before,” said Russ Bartlett, president, Beechcraft Defense Company. “Reaching the 800-aircraft milestone proves the versatility and durability of the Beechcraft T-6 trainer program worldwide. Military programs around the globe have accumulated more than 2 million flight hours using the T-6 to train pilots, navigators and weapons systems operators.”
The Beechcraft T-6B features an integrated glass cockpit and an advanced Esterline CMC Cockpit 4000 avionics suite that greatly expands advanced training opportunities. The systems are integrated with a Hands-On Throttle and Stick (HOTAS), providing the student pilot and instructor with a simpler interface to the digital cockpit. The CMC Cockpit 4000 avionics suite is the first in its class to incorporate a fully integrated and FAA-certified dual FMS/GPS navigation suite that meets the required navigation performance standards for current worldwide airspace equipment. The open architecture design of the Cockpit 4000 provides the flexibility to expand capabilities and continuously meet current and future training needs.
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, the Royal Moroccan Air Force, and the Mexican Air Force have chosen the T-6 and its derivatives as their primary trainers. The T-6 has been used to train pilots, navigators and weapons systems operators from more than 25 different countries.
About Beechcraft
Beechcraft designs, builds and supports versatile and globally renowned aircraft, including the King Air turboprops, piston-engine Baron and Bonanza, and the T-6 trainer and AT-6 light attack military aircraft. Its 5,400 highly skilled employees are focused on continuously improving the company’s products and services which are sold to individuals, businesses and governments worldwide. In business since 1932, Beechcraft has built more than 54,000 aircraft and more than 36,000 continue flying today. It leads the industry with a global network of more than 90 factory-owned and authorized service centers. The company’s headquarters and major manufacturing facilities are located in Wichita, Kan. For more information, visit beechcraft.com or follow us on Twitter @Beechcraft.
