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2022-11-01

T-6C Texan II: Next-level Training Aircraft

The Beechcraft T-6C Texan II is a next-generation military trainer designed for all levels of instruction — from ab initio to advanced operational training. The T-6C was purpose-built for a wide range of training capabilities, long-term reliability and cost-effective operations.

These attributes, along with a total training solution of simulators, computer-based academics and sustainable logistics, make the T-6C the ideal training solution for discriminating militaries around the world.

Textron Aviation Defense recently announced the delivery of the 1,000th Beechcraft T-6C Texan II aircraft and the achievement of the five million flight hour milestone across the global T-6 fleet.

All Beechcraft T-6 Texan II aircraft are designed and manufactured at the company’s Wichita, Kansas facilities. Textron Aviation Defense LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company. The 1,000th T-6 military flight trainer was delivered to the Colombian Air Force.

The new T-6C+ combines the winning characteristics of the T-6C series with weapons capability by adding six wing hardpoints — two of which are plumbed for external fuel tanks.

The “Plus” series extends the training footprint to include weapons delivery in a cost effective way.

Ron Draper, president and CEO of Textron Aviation, stated: “The world’s most advanced global air forces and pilots trust us to deliver a great aircraft that enables them to make the world a better, more secure place.”

The T-6C aircraft are purpose-built for military training and have the latest technology including ejection seats, collision-avoidance and ground proximity warning systems, a pressurised cockpit and an on-board oxygen generating system to provide supplementary oxygen for each pilot.

Five Variants

The global fleet of Beechcraft T-6 Texan II Integrated Training Systems (ITS) encompasses five variants, which were manufactured on an active production line with an industry-leading Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) rating of 10.

Leading the fleet are the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) T-6A and T-6B aircraft — operated by the United States Air Force and the United States Navy, respectively.

While the T-6C is an exportable military flight trainer, the T-6C+ is an exportable armed variant of the T-6C. The T-6D is operated by the United States Army.

“Together, our team has crafted an integrated training system that is one of the world’s most advanced, most sought-after capabilities for producing pilots, in particular, 4th and 5th gen pilots,” said Tom Hammoor, president & CEO of Textron Aviation Defense LLC.

The fleet of 1,000 Beechcraft T-6 Texan II trainers empower global pilot capabilities across 13 nations and two North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) flight schools.

T-6C Advantages

Among the various advantages that come with T-6C aircraft operations are: they are approved for wide temperature range; exceed USAF-required 18,720 hour design life; aircraft is tested through three lifetimes (56,160 hours); no scheduled depot-level inspection; wing Hardpoints for external fuel tanks (std) and additional (option) stores for weapons training; embedded synthetic air-to-ground and air-to-air training; Head-Up Display with F-16 or F/A-18 displays; advanced Esterline CMC Cockpit 4000 avionics suite and a fully certified and integrated dual FMS, GPS/INS navigation system.

Flight Deck Features

The T-6C Texan II empowers pilots to see the whole picture. The state-of-the-art, all-digital, open-architecture glass cockpit offers the crystal clear visibility necessary for completing complex missions. The best training requires advanced total situational awareness. The T-6C flight deck features the technology needed to keep pilots safe and enhance their ability to train.

Today’s T-6C Texan II flight deck features include: three interchangeable colour active-matrix, liquid-crystal multi-function displays driven by two avionics computers; primary flight display, navigation, engine-indicating and crew-alerting systems, programmable mission functions such as tactical situation displays, MIL-STD 1787 heads-up display with F-16 or F/A-18 selectable display capabilities; total integration of critical instruments, navigation and advanced weapons training skills; a back-up, all-in-one flight instrument, which combines all essential flight cues in one easy-to-read display.

Kits on Offer

Textron Aviation Defense offers T-6 modifications, kits, upgrades and training programmes to meet unique mission requirements. Based in Wichita, Kansas, the Textron Aviation Defense Modification Center provides installation expertise from the original manufacturer.

The kits on offer include:

Night Vision Conversion Kit: Converts all interior lights and cockpit displays to night vision-compatible devices, increasing the capabilities of the airplane in different training and operating environments.

Wingtip Light Conversion Kit: This kit replaces incandescent exterior position lights with NVG-compatible LED lights, reducing maintenance requirements and allowing pilots to fly in formation while wearing night vision devices.

External Fuel Tank Installation: 2,000 Installation of the external fuel tanks gives operators the ability to conduct longer missions and/or training exercises. Each tank has a maximum design fuel capacity of 67.2 gallons.

Pylon Installation Kit: Installation of electromechanical mast pylons at six hardpoints (three per side) on the bottom of the wing allows operators to carry external stores with 14- inch NATO-standard lug configuration. This capability increases the types of training and flight missions that can be performed.

Weapons Kit Installation: Installation of the weapons systems-related components provides operators with the ability to carry and drop training ordnance. Different configurations are available using the six under-wing hardpoints, including air-to-ground stores, air-to-air stores, external fuel tanks and various sensor pods.

A/A Tacan: Provides air-to-air ranging for multiple aircraft, increasing the number of dynamic manoeuvring training missions that can be flown using the T-6.

ECS Screen Kit: This kit reduces galvanic (metal-on-metal) corrosion to the aircraft skin at the ECS inlet and exhaust screens.

Antenna Gasket Kit: The Antenna Gasket Kit provides upgraded corrosion resistance for aircraft operating in highly corrosive environments.

Engine Preservation Kit: This kit improves the sealing and monitoring requirements of an inactive engine. Installation of the kit takes 80 per cent less time than the previous methods and significantly reduces repair costs due to corrosion.

eABS Anti-Skid Braking System: The digital Anti-Skid Braking System optimises braking authority while helping protect against flat spots or blown tyres. Effective in improving stopping distances, aircraft directional control, and maintenance requirements, the system weighs only 24 pounds (11 kg) and does not require modification to the existing landing gear or master cylinders.

Auto Ignition Relay Kit: The removal and replacement of the current relay (part number KM-U5AL) is labour-intensive. The new solid state relay has a significantly increased life span, and the redesigned mounting bracket allows easier removal and installation by maintenance personnel.

Training System

Textron Aviation Defense offers effective flight training system. The T-6C simulators are ideal for training cockpit and emergency procedures — all in a safe, controlled, efficient environment.

The training system includes media-integrated training lectures and uses computer-based training and management systems. Each training system is designed for specific missions.

Desktop Avionics Trainer: A large touch-screen computer hosts the T-6B/C avionics and displays the three multifunction displays and up-front control panel, allowing students to use the same systems and receive the same result as in the aircraft.

Egress Procedures Trainer: The egress procedures trainer replicates the forward cockpit, ejection seat and canopy and includes pilot restraints, oxygen and G-suit hookups for practice of entry, egress and emergency egress procedures.

Ejection Seat Trainer: It is a realistic replica of the Martin-Baker MKUS16LA ejection seat, and instructs pilots in correct hook up and removal of restraint and life-support systems without use of more expensive assets.

Civil Support/Consequence Management: The instrument flight training device provides the same cockpit layout and performance of the OFT with a direct-view 45 degrees by 33 degrees field-of-view forward visual display.

Operational Flight Trainer (OFT): OFT replicates cockpit layout and aircraft performance with a domed 270 degrees by 70 degrees wide-field-of-view system and a single axis dynamic seat that provides tactical simulation of flight movements and sensations.

Unit Training Device: Unit training provides the same cockpit and performance as the OFT, including normal ground and flight training procedures, emergency procedures training, but does not include a dynamic seat.

The T-6C+ can be used for joint terminal air control (JTAC) and other close air support (CAS) training missions and is also capable of carrying a multitude of actual, inert and simulated stores.

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