New Raytheon training aircraft begins naval aviation career

Sea Power, Oct 2003 by Burgess, Richard R

The T-6A Texan II-built by Raytheon Aircraft Company-has begun training student naval flight officers at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., marking the new turboprop training aircraft's entry into naval service.

The Texan II-named for the famous T-6 Texan trainer built during World War II by North American Aviation-began training missions Aug. 5 for two squadrons assigned to Training Air Wing Six: Training Squadrons Four and Ten.

The T-6A-the aircraft of the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System-is intended to replace the T-34C Turbomentor in primary and basic training of naval aviators and naval flight officers. A military version of the Pilatus PC-6, the T-6A is equipped with a Martin-Baker ejection seat and a digital cockpit, which will ease the transition of students from training to flying the modern aircraft in the fleet. Equipped with a pressurized cockpit, the new aircraft can fly at twice the altitude of its predecessor, the T-34C, which has been in service for more than 20 years.

The first Texan II for the Navy was assigned to Training Air Wing Six in November 2002. The aircraft delivered since were used to train instructors and maintenance personnel. The wing now operates more than 16 T-6As and expects to be fully equipped with 58 Texan IIs by 2006.

The T-6A entered Air Force service in 2001 to replace the T-37 jet trainer and has been used to train some student naval aviators through joint training arrangements with Air Force flying training squadrons. Because the Navy's initial procurement of T-6As is small, they are being used for navigator training. When delivery of larger numbers begins, the new aircraft will replace the T-34C in five Navy training squadrons at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, and Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla. The Navy has stated a requirement for 328 Texan IIs.

By RICHARD R. BURGESS

Managing Editor