Becomes 15th Nation To Select The T-6 Texan II Integrated System

Textron announced together with the Kanematsu Group that the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has selected the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II Integrated Training System to modernize the training for its pilots. With the purchase, Japan joins 14 other nations that have selected the T-6 to add to the fleet of over 1,000 T-6 aircraft delivered worldwide.

The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is designed and built by Textron Aviation Defense, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Aviation. It was selected at the conclusion of a thorough and highly competitive evaluation of training solutions offered by a number of bidders, and finalization of the contract is expected sometime this year.

Travis Tyler, President and CEO of Textron Aviation Defense LLC said, “We are proud to offer the Japan Air Self-Defense Force a proven and highly capable Integrated Training System that will meet their training needs for decades. This selection affirms the capabilities of our T-6 Texan II Integrated Training System to enable a well-equipped, prominent and highly skilled JASDF to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”

The JASDF is modernizing its pilot training with an integrated solution that features the T-6 Texan II aircraft, a comprehensive ground training system, training for instructor pilots and aircraft maintainers, and long-term logistic and sustainment support. The new training system will replace the Fuji/Subaru T-7 aircraft that has been the JASDF’s basic training aircraft for many years.

The T-6 Texan II is one of the premier training aircraft for militaries the world over, with low acquisition and operating expenses. There are more than 1,000 T-6 aircraft operating that have in total, exceeded 5 million flight hours in 14 nations and two NATO flight schools.

FMI:  defense.txtav.com/