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Raytheon T-6A Texan II

Type
High-performance military turboprop trainer (Turboprop-Trainer)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Raytheon Aircraft Company (Government Business)
PO Box 85
Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085
USA

Phone: 001-316/676-7271
Fax: 001-316/676-5483

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 2 in tandem on Martin-Baker Mk 16LA ejection seats

Weapons: Provision for three hardpoints under each wing. Testing was conducted for the following loads:
  - 2 x 12,5 mm gun pods (HMP-400)
  - 2 x fuel tanks
  - 6 x BDU-33, 25 kg practice bombs
  - 2 x Mk.82, 225 kg bombs
  - 2 gun pods, 2 rocket launchers and 2 BDU-33s

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turboprop
Power (Leistung): 1274 kW (1708 shp), but flat rated to 1100 shp (820 kW)
Propeller: four-blade Hartzell constant-speed, diameter: 2,44 m

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 10,14 m
Height (Höhe): 3,26 m
Span (Spannweite): 10,15 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 16,3 sq m
Wing aspect ratio (Flügelstreckung): 6,3

Weights (Massen)
Weight empty (Leermasse): 2136 kg (was 2087 kg) or 2950 kg standard basic empty weight according to the USAF
Baggage capacity (Zulading im Gepäckraum): 36 kg (was 54 kg)
Max. fuel (max. Kraftstoff): 499 kg, 621 litres
Max. underwing stores (Außenlasten): 1415 kg for the T-6B
Max. zero-fuel weight (max. Masse ohne Kraftstoff): 2495 kg
Max. ramp weight (max. Rollmasse): 2971 kg
Max. take-off weight (max. Startmasse): 2950 kg (up from 2857 kg)

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. level speed (max. Fluggeschwindigkeit): 574 km/h at altitude, 500 km/h IAS at low level
Max. cruise speed (max. Marschgeschw.): 426 km/h at 2285 m (7500 ft)
Approach speed (Anfluggeschwindigkeit): 185 km/h
Stall speed (Überziehgeschwindigkeit): 152 km/h with power off and flaps up
Rate of climb (Steigrate): 20 m/s at sea level, or 15,7 m/s according to the USAF
Time to climb to 18000 ft: les than 6 minutes
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 10670 m(35000 ft)
Take-off run (Startrollstrecke): 437 m
Take-off to 15 m (Startstrecke über 15 m-Hindernis): 655 m
Landing distance from 15 m (Landestrecke über 15-m-Hindernis): 1030 m (was 732 m)
Landing run (Landerollstrecke): 740 m (was 580 m)
Range (Reichweite): 1574 km at altitude
Endurance (Flugdauer) 3 h
g limits: +7/-3,5
Service life: 18720 flight hours

Costs (Kosten)
Flyaway cost claimed as 5,41 million US Dollars over US production run, at 1998 values. Same figure was 3,4 million US-Dollars at 1996 values.
The T-6B with improved avionics was estimated to cost 6,2 million US Dollars in July 2004.
Total programme cost for US Air Force and US Navy was once estimated at 3,948 billion US-Dollars (then-year Dollars). This would lead to an average systems price of 5 million US-Dollars.
A batch of 59 T-6As ordered in April 2001 for USAF and US Navy was priced at 148,3 million US-Dollars (2,51 million US-Dollars per aircraft).
The two additional T-6A-1 for NFTC were priced at 11,6 million US-Dollars in 2002, including support.
The USAF fact sheet of 2003 claims a unit cost of 4,272 million US-Dollars.

Customers (Kunden)
By July 2004, Raytheon had announced the following customers:

US Air Force: requires 454 (up from 372) by 2011
US Navy: requires 328 through 2017 (down from 339 by 2014)
Chilean Air Force: has signed a letter of intent late in 1996 for 16 to 25 aircraft. Not yet confirmed.
NATO Flight Training in Canada (Bombardier): 26. A contract was signed in December 1997 after unexpectedly switching from the Embraer Super Tucano. Designated as T-6A-1s. Deliveries were scheduled to begin in November 1999 to No. 2 FTS at Moose Jaw. All of the first batch of 24 were handed over by the end of 2000. A further two were ordered in 2002.
Greece: 45. The deal was announced in November 1998, valued at more than 200 Mio. US-Dollars (including five options). Contract signature followed in August 1999. Deliveries began in July 2000 and extend through 2003. The initial 25 aircraft were similar to the US configuration, but the final 20 were in “New Trainer Aircraft” configuration specified by the Hellenic Air Force. An extensive offset package is included.

Raytheon expects international sales of the aircraft over the life of the program to be similar to the US purchase, that is around 700 aircraft.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II
Pilatus PC-9M
Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano (ALX)

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The T-6A is based on the Pilatus PC-9M, but was subjected to many modifications to meet the US JPATS requirements.
The T-6B features an advanced avionics system from CMC/Flight Visions with three large colour displays and a head-up-display.

History (Geschichte)
The T-6A Texan II is the winner of the JPATS (Joint Primary Air Training System) competition of the US forces and as such the highest volume production trainer aircraft programme of today. It was entered into the fierce contest by (then) Beech on the basis of the Pilatus PC-9, but during development a completely new aircraft resulted, just leaving the general external lines intact.
At first Beech received two standard PC-9s in August 1990 and March 1991. The latter (N26BA) was converted into an engineering development prototype, step by step introducing new features like a forward canopy bow.
Two production prototypes built by Beech in Wichita followed. These first flew in December 1992 and July 1993. The latter (PT-3) incorporated further modifications and was the main aircraft used in the Pentagon evaluation of the contenders.
The JPATS selection process had begun in 1989, when the Pentagon submitted its Tranier Aircraft Master Plan. In December 1990 a Mission Need Statement by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council was released, and in January 1992 the JPATS was designated a Defence Acquisition Pilot Program.
On May 18, 1994, a the request for proposal was formally issued, with the Source Selection Flight evaluation being conducted from July 1994 through October 1994 at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Seven candidate aircraft were evaluated, and each one completed 13 flights.
Selection of the then so-called Beech Mk.II as JPATS winner was announced on 22 June 1995. There were protests by Cessna and Raytheon, so that contract signature was delayed until February 5, 1996.
As prime contractor, Raytheon conducted a competition for the ground based training system portion of JPATS (simulators, training devices, management system, instructional courseware). In April 1997, Flight Safety Services Corporation was awarded the subcontract.
Raytheon built a new assembly hangar and adjacent development/administrative/flight acceptance facilities on the east side of its airfield especially for the Texan II programme, investing 11,1 million US-Dollars. It was opened in May 1997.
Manufacture of the T-6A started in February 1997, and the first production aircraft rolled out at Wichita on 29 June 1998. It took to the skies on July 15, 1998. With experimental test pilot Bob Newsom at the controls, the turboprop trainer lifted off at 86 kts. In the first flight profile, the Texan II reached an altitude of 13000 ft. The flight lasted 111 minutes. The second production aircraft was deployed to Tucson for hot weather tests in late summer.
In total, four production aircraft and one prototype flew more than 1400 hours before FAA certification under Part 23 (aerobatic aircraft) was granted on 20 August 1999, some three to nine months late. The FAA has halso awarded a Production Certificate.
At that time plans called for introduction of the T-6A in the USAF at the
  * 12th Flying Training Wing at Randolph AFB (Texas) from 1999
  * 47th FTW, Laughlin AFB (Texas) in May 2001
  * 71st FTW, Vance AFB (Oklahoma) in June 2004
  * 14th FTW, Columbus AFB (Mississippi) in September 2006
  * 80th FTW, Sheppard AFB (Texas) in November 2008
IOC was expected in August 2001.
The US Navy was expected to begin receiving the T-6A in November 2002 and had assigned the trainer to
  * Naval Air Station Whiting Field (Florida)
  * NAS Corpus Christi (Texas)
  * NAS Pensacola (Florida)
with IOC scheduled for 2003.
Deliveries of the T-6A-1 (CT-156 Harvard II) to Canada started on 29 February 2000, and all 24 aircraft for the NFTC were handed over by year-end.
The USAF conducted a seven month multiservice test and evalution programme starting in March 2000 at Randolph AFB in San Antonio, Texas.
The first USAF squadron (559th Flight Training Squadron of the 12 th Flight Training Wing) began equipping on 23 May 2000 at Moody AFB, Georgia.
Approval for full-rate production was scheduled for February 2001, but delayed by about a year.
In April 2001, the USAF (35) and US Navy (24) ordered 59 T-6A and technical support worth 148,3 million US-Dollars. This brought production orders up to 167, of which 30 are for the Navy.
IOC was achieved in June 2001 with 15 aircraft in service at Moody AFB, Georgia. Student pilot training there began on 10 October 2001,with the first flights after the academics phase conducted on 20 November. This was with UPTS Class 02-01. The first 15 students completed their second phase of training on 26 April 2002.
First delivery of the T-6 to Greece was on 17 July 2000 to 361 Squadron at Kalamata. Training of student pilots began in September 2001.
As part of its final testing, the T-6A completed wet runway testing at Edwards AFB in October 2001. Multiple rejected take-offs were performed.
After LRIP production, USAF authorised full-rate production of the T-6A on 3 December 2001 (Milestone III decision). Raytheon Aircraft received its largest military contract ever on 28 December when the Pentagon signed for 40 firm T-6As plus another 194 options for delivery from 2002 to 2006. Value was around 1,22 billion Dollars including simulators, manuals and support. Up to that time USAF and US Navy had 168 aircraft on firm order.
In April 2002, due to Congressional additions to the defense budget, the US Navy ordered another 7 T-6As for 30 million Dollars. Earlier, the Navy had decided to wait for several years before placing more orders.
In the spring of 2002, Raytheon started weapons testing with the T-6A at Eglin AFB, Florida. These were in preparation for deliveries to the Hellenic Air Force, which ordered 25 aircraft to be fitted with hardpoints. Firing trials were completed in August.
In mid-2002, Bombardier Services ordered another two T-6 for its NFTC school.
At the Farnborough air show in July 2002, Raytheon announced plans to develop a T-6B version with improved avionics supplied by Flight Visions, part of CMC Electronics.
The US Navy accepted its first two aircraft on 31 August 2002 at Wichita and flew them to Pensacola, Florida, an 1 November. They were assigned to VT-10.
On 25 November 2002, the Pentagon announced a contract for Lot X production, comprising 35 Texan IIs plus training devices and manuals worth 169,9 million US-Dollars.
Class began on 30 June 2003 at NAS Pensacola, Florida, for the first group of naval flight officer students to train with the T-6A Texan II. At that time, the inventory was 15 aircraft. An Initial Operating Capability ceremony was held on 5 August 2003 in front of hangar 1853.
In late August 2003, Raytheon celebrated the 200th delivery of the T-6A. The US Navy was the recipient of the aircraft, its 21 st. Meanwhile, the USAF had taken 108 and Greece and NFTC had all already in service.
The Lot 11 contract for another 47 T-6As for USAF was signed in December 2003. It was worth 228 million US-Dollars. 120 aircraft had been delivered to the USAF and 29 to the US Navy.
On 11 March 2004, the NAVAIR test squadron VX-20 at Patuxent River received its first Texan for test and evaluation duties.
The demonstrator of the T-6B with a new avionics suite from CMC flew for the first time on 12 May 2004.
On 30 June 2004, there were 155 aircraft in service with the USAF, 40 with the US Navy, 26 with NFTC and 45 with Greece. Hours flown were around 210000. Firm orders stood at 258 for the USAF and 50 for the US Navy.
The demonstrator of the T-6B version was shown for the first time at the Farnborough air show in July 2004. It was demonstrated in flight by aerobatic pilot Patty Wagstaff.
The T-6As of the Hellenic Air Force were part of the protective umbrella for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens. They conducted patrol flights.

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Last updated 25 August 2004

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