T-6 Texan II

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For the similarly-named World War II aircraft, see T-6 Texan.

T-6 Texan II

A USAF T-6A Texan II out of Randolph Air Force Base
Type	Trainer aircraft
Manufacturer	Raytheon Aircraft Company
Primary users	United States Air Force United States Navy Canadian Forces Greek Air Force
Developed from	Pilatus PC-9

The Raytheon T-6A Texan II is a tandem-cockpit, turboprop aircraft used by the United States Air Force for basic pilot training and by the United States Navy for Primary and Intermediate Joint Naval Flight Officer (NFO) and Air Force Navigator / Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) training. It is replacing the Air Force's T-37B Tweet and the Navy's T-34C Turbo Mentor. The T-6A is also used as a basic trainer by the Canadian (CT-156 Harvard II) and Greek air forces. The T-6B variant of the Texan II was introduced in 2005. One of the most important features of the T-6B is its highly advanced, all-glass cockpit from CMC Electronics that includes a Head-Up Display (HUD), six Multi-function display (MFD) and Hands On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS).

1 Overview
2 Specifications (T-6A)
- 2.1 Additional systems
3 External links
4 Related content

[edit] Overview

The T-6A was introduced to Moody Air Force Base and Randolph Air Force Base in 2000-2001, and Laughlin Air Force Base by 2003 where it is now the primary basic trainer, having completely replaced the venerable T-37. Vance Air Force Base began transitioning from the T-37 to the T-6 in 2005. The T-6 is expected to replace all T-37s in the Air Force inventory by 2008. T-37s are still in service at Vance, Columbus, and Sheppard Air Force bases. The Air Force awarded the full rate production contract in December 2001.

The T-6A also replaced all T-34s at Naval Air Station Pensacola in early 2005. T-34s are still in service at NAS Corpus Christi and NAS Whiting Field as a primary trainer.

The T-6A has been met with great approval by instructors and students alike, who praise its reliability and simplicity. With thrust output of over 2,000 pounds at sea level and the quick power response time afforded by a turboprop, it is very forgiving.

The Texan II is built by Raytheon Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. Although the design is heavily based on the Pilatus PC-9, the T-6 is a complete redesign from the ground up, and is considerably more sophisticated and powerful.

One Texan II costs approximately 6 million dollars. Almost a quarter of this cost goes into two advanced, highly reliable Martin-Baker ejection seats, which have the capability for zero-zero ejection.

Both the Greek T-6A and the T-6B variants have the capability to carry and deploy munitions, including bombs, rockets, and wing-mountable guns. The T-6B also features additional onboard systems for combat training. The T-6B could be a versatile primary weapons trainer, or even an operational light attack aircraft, given its excellent handling characteristics and available excess thrust. According to Raytheon, the T-6B is now available for order, although a price has not been specified and no customers have been listed yet. As of 2006, there are speculations within the Air Force that Special Operations Command may consider procuring T-6B aircraft for use in airborne forward air control.

[edit] Specifications (T-6A)

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General characteristics<h3>
Crew: 2, tandem seating
Length: 33 ft 4 in (10.2 m)
Wingspan: 33 ft 5 in (10.2 m)
Height: 10 ft 8 in (3.3 m)
Empty weight: 4,600 lb (2,087 kg)
Loaded weight: 6,500 lb (2,900 kg)
Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turboprop, 1,100 SHP (820 kW)</li>

Propeller: Hartzell 4-bladed variable pitch constant-speed propeller at 2,000 rpm) <h3>Performance<h3>
Maximum speed: 316 kt (573 km/h)
Range: 900 nautical miles (1,700 km)
Service ceiling: 35,000 ft (10,668 m)

[edit] Additional systems

Hydraulically operated retractable landing gear, split flaps, speed brake, and nose wheel steering
28-volt electrical system with auxiliary battery
Comprehensive environmental control system featuring heating, cooling, and air conditioning; cockpit pressurization, on-board oxygen generating system, anti-G system.
2 Martin-Baker ejection seats
Canopy fracturing system operated by mild detcord and flexible linear shaped charge, actuated upon ejection, emergency ground egress, or ground rescue
Automatic propeller control by means of power management unit and propeller interface unit
Fully-electronic attitude, heading, and reference system; electronic instrument displays; air data computer; engine data manager
3-axis electric trim with trim aid device
Integrated data acquisition and recording system (flight data recorder)
Naval Aircraft Collision Warning System (NACWS)