The Model 3000/T-6 is a low-wing cantilever monoplane with enclosed tandem seating for two. It is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turboprop engine in tractor configuration with an aluminum, 97-inch (8.1 ft; 2.5 m), four-blade, constant-speed, variable pitch, non-reversing, feathering propeller assembly and has retractable tricycle landing gear. The aircraft is fitted with Martin-Baker Mark 16 ejection seats and a canopy fracturing system.
On 9 April 2007, the U.S. Department of Defense released their Selected Acquisition Reports, which reported that the T-6 JPATS program was one of only eight programs cited for Congressional notification for 25–50% cost overrun over initial estimates, which is referred to as a "Nunn-McCurdy Breach" after the Nunn-McCurdy Amendment. It is unusual for a program so far into full-rate production to experience significant enough cost overruns to trigger this congressional notification.[3]
The T-6A was introduced to Moody Air Force Base and Randolph Air Force Base in 2000–2001, and the Air Force awarded the full-rate T-6 production contract in December 2001. Laughlin Air Force Base began flying the T-6 in 2003 where it became the primary basic trainer, replacing the T-37. Vance Air Force Base completed transitioning from the T-37 to the T-6 in 2006. That year, Columbus Air Force Base began its transition, and retired its last T-37 in April 2008. The last active USAF T-37Bs were retired at Sheppard Air Force Base in the summer of 2009.[4]
An original, World War II-era T-6A Texan aircraft, right, with the new T-6 Texan II at Randolph AFB, Texas, in 2007
The Texan failed to qualify for the Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance program, because the USAF mailed the exclusion notice to the wrong address, leaving the company with no time to protest the decision.[5] But the official mail failure gave Hawker-Beechcraft a further legal justification, as they had told the USAF they planned to file a legal challenge even before the official notice had been mailed and brought its considerable political influence to bear against the USAF decision against their candidate with one Kansas Congressman stating, "It is simply wrong for the Obama administration to hire a Brazilian company to handle national security when we have a qualified and competent American company that can do the job."[6] In 2013, Beechcraft again lost the bid.[7]
In August 2017, the Air Force conducted the "Light Attack Experiment" to evaluate potential light attack aircraft. Following this, it decided to continue experimenting with two non-developmental aircraft, the AT-6 Wolverine derivative of the T-6 Texan II and the Sierra Nevada/Embraer A-29 Super Tucano. Tests were scheduled to be conducted at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona between May and July 2018. The tests are intended "to experiment with maintenance, data networking and sensors...[to] gather the data needed for a rapid procurement", according to Secretary of the Air ForceHeather Wilson. Experimentation will examine logistics requirements, weapons and sensor issues, and future interoperability with partner forces.[8]
During the last week of January 2018, a cluster of unexplained physiological events involving the T-6 occurred at Columbus, Vance, and Sheppard Air Force Bases. In response, the commander of Nineteenth Air Force, which is responsible for USAF pilot training, directed an "operational pause" in Texan II operations on 1 February 2018 to ensure aircrew safety. The pause was intended to enable the Air Force to "examine the root causes of the incidents, educate and listen to aircrew, develop and deliver mitigation solutions." The Air Force had established a general officer-led team to integrate and coordinate efforts across the Air Force to address aircrew unexplained physiological events earlier in 2018.[9]
In February 2018, the AT-6 Wolverine and the A-29 Super Tucano were named as the only two remaining aircraft in USAF's Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance aircraft competition.[10]
In March 2020, the USAF placed a $70.2 million order for two AT-6E Wolverine aircraft.[11] The first Wolverine was delivered to the USAF in February 2021.[12] The Wolverines were operated by the 81st Fighter Squadron.[13] In June 2022, the two aircraft were returned to Beechcraft.[14] In July 2022, the Wolverine received Military Type Certification from the USAF.[15] In September 2023, the two Wolverines were transferred from storage at Beechcraft to the United States Naval Test Pilot School.[16]
Canada
The CT-156 Harvard II is a variant used for pilot instruction in the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC),[17] located at 15 Wing, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.[18] They are leased to the Royal Canadian Air Force by the program's administrator, CAE. NFTC's Harvard II aircraft are almost identical in cockpit layout and performance to the American JPATS Texan IIs. Within NFTC, students fly the Harvard II in Phase 2 and 3 of the training program, and some will go on to fly the CT-155 Hawk jet trainer also used by NFTC for Phase 4 (Moose Jaw) and Phase 5 Fighter Lead-In Training (4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alberta). NFTC had 25 Harvard II aircraft owned and maintained by Bombardier, although one was lost following a non-fatal crash in 2014, and another in 2017.[19] CAE took over the program in 2015.[20]
On 16 December 2009, the first four of 15 T-6A aircraft were delivered to Tikrit, Iraq under a $210 million contract. No AT-6 aircraft were included as was previously reported.[25] The last four T-6As reached Iraq on 9 November 2010.[26]
On 13 May 2014, the US State Department approved an order for 24 T-6C aircraft for use as trainers by the Iraqi Air Force. The sale was worth US$790 million and was part of a larger one billion dollar deal.[27]
On 9 January 2012, Mexico purchased six T-6C+ aircraft for the Mexican Air Force to begin replacing their Pilatus PC-7 trainers.[29] On 24 October 2013, Hawker Beechcraft announced a follow-on order of an additional six T-6C+ aircraft for the Mexican Air Force, bringing the total ordered to 12.[30] The Mexican Navy also ordered two T-6C+ Trainers in March 2014.[31]
New Zealand
A RNZAF Texan II
The New Zealand Government announced the purchase of 11 T-6Cs for the Royal New Zealand Air Force for NZ$154 million, on 27 January 2014 to replace the PAC CT/4 Airtrainer, with all aircraft delivered by February 2015. The first training course using the type began early 2016.[32][33] The T-6Cs are expected to remain in service with the RNZAF for 30 years.[33]
United Kingdom
On 24 October 2014, the UK Ministry of Defence announced its preferred bidder for the UK Military Flying Training System programme. Ascent's system will involve T-6C Texan IIs in the basic trainer role for both Royal Air Force and Royal Navy pilots.[34][full citation needed] The contract for ten aircraft was signed by Affinity Flying Training Services and Beechcraft Defense on 4 February 2016. The T-6C trainers have replaced Shorts Tucano T1 aircraft.[35]
Argentina
In October 2017, the Argentine Air Force received the first four of 12 T-6C+ aircraft purchased from Textron Aviation[36] and a further two in June 2018.[37]
Tunisia
In October 2019, U.S. State Department approved the possible Foreign Military Sale of 12 T-6Cs to Tunisia at an estimated cost of $234 million (~$275 million in 2023), including related spares, ground support equipment, and support. The sale is intended to provide replacement for the aging trainer fleet of Tunisian Air Force and to train pilots for counter-terrorism and border security missions.[38]
Variants
Two RCAF CT-156 Harvard II at the Alliance Air Show in 2014.
Model 3000
Company designation
T-6A Texan II
Standard version for the USAF, USN, and Hellenic Air Force (25).
T-6A NTA Texan II
Armed version of the T-6A for the HAF (20). T-6A NTA has the capability to carry rocket pods, gun pods, external fuel tanks, and bombs. NTA stands for New Trainer Aircraft. [39]
Initial armed version of the T-6B for primary weapons training or light attack roles. It has the same digital cockpit, but upgraded to include datalink and integrated electro-optical sensors along with several weapons configurations.[39][41] Engine power is increased to 1,600 shp (1193 kW) with the Pratt & Whitney CanadaPT6-68D engine, and the structure is reinforced.[42][43][44][45]
T-6C Texan II
Upgraded version of the T-6B with wing hard points, primarily designated for export sales.[46]
T-6D Texan II
Version based on T-6B and C for the US Army for operational support, testing, utility, and chase plane roles.[47]
AT-6E Wolverine
Production armed version of the T-6 for primary weapons training or light attack roles. Ordered by Thailand as the AT-6TH.[48][49]
CT-156 Harvard II
Version of the T-6A for NFTC with the Canadian Forces.[18] Nearly identical to standard USAF and USN in terms of avionics, cockpit layout, and performance.
Operators
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II aircraft operatorsA Hellenic Air Force T-6A Texan II during CIAF in BrnoAn Iraqi Air Force T-6A Texan IIA RMAF's T-6C Texan II during Marrakech Air Show
Royal Thai Air Force - $162 million order placed in 2020 for 12 designated the T-6TH.[61][62][63] Delivery scheduled for late 2022 and early 2023.[63] $143 million order placed in 2021 for 8 AT-6 Wolverines designated AT-6TH to be delivered from 2024.[48]
^Bill Kinzig; Dave Bailey (2010). T-6A Texan II Systems Engineering Case Study(PDF) (Report). Center for Systems Engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT/SY). p. 49. Retrieved 1 March 2023. First flight of the initial production aircraft occurred on July 15, 1998, at the contractor's field in Wichita.
^"T-6 is not a PC-9", Military(PDF), Hawker Beechcraft, archived from the original(PDF) on 9 March 2008
^"Department of Defense Selected Acquisition Reports", Deagel, 2007, archived from the original on 12 July 2010, retrieved 8 March 2010
^Bombardier Military Aerospace Training (November 2011). "NFTC The Concept". Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
^ abcDepartment of National Defence Public Affairs (March 2007). "CT-156 Harvard II". Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
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