Planemaker Emphasizing Milestones And Orders

Beechcraft Defense Company is highlighting its portfolio of military and defense products and services at the Farnborough International Airshow this week, emphasizing recent program milestones and orders. The company is displaying its T-6C trainer and AT-6 light attack aircraft at the Textron Aviation chalet in Farnborough, United Kingdom.

In addition to delivering a variety of aircraft platforms for military operations, Beechcraft also supports fielded military aircraft through its Global Mission Support division, offering logistics support, customized maintenance training, spare parts support and aircraft modification/upgrade programs.

Beechcraft Defense Company said Tuesday that the first two Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Beechcraft T-6C aircraft have been completed ahead of schedule and will depart for New Zealand from its headquarters in Wichita, KS later this month. The company announced the contract award in January, which includes 11 T-6C trainer aircraft, spare parts, training, logistics and maintenance support.

“Our relationship with the customer and the status of the contract are evidence of Beechcraft’s industry-setting standard for aircraft production, sustainment and training,” said Russ Bartlett, president, Beechcraft Defense Company. “We are slated to deliver the certified aircraft on time and just seven months after contract award, backed by a fully integrated aircraft, logistics and training system.”

The remaining RNZAF aircraft have started on the production line ahead of schedule and all 11 T-6C aircraft will be delivered by the second quarter of 2015, just 17 months after contract signature.

Beechcraft Defense Company also announced that it signed a contract in May with the U.S. Air Force for production of 29 Beechcraft T-6 training aircraft. Valued at $171 million, this represents the 20th production lot of T-6 aircraft ordered by the U.S. Air Force (USAF), U.S. Navy (USN) and U.S. Army as part of the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) procurement program.

“Throughout the past 14 years, we have worked closely with the U.S. Government to provide every T-6 aircraft in the program on time or ahead of schedule and on budget,” Bartlett said. “These aircraft, which are used to train every USAF and USN pilot, are a symbol of our commitment to the U.S. armed forces and the missions they carry out.”

Production of the Lot 20 aircraft will begin in 2015 with deliveries to the USN scheduled for mid-2016. The entire JPATS program represents 751 T-6 aircraft.

“We’ve had great wins for the Beechcraft T-6 training program recently that further solidify the longevity of the program and reinforce the relevance and proven capabilities of the platform around the world,” Bartlett said. “Since deliveries began some 14 years ago, these 850 aircraft have been used to train pilots, navigators and weapon systems operators from more than 25 countries worldwide.”

Three of the 23 T-6A aircraft operated at the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) Program recently reached the 10,000 flight hour milestone.

“We are proud to support the NFTC Program and congratulate them on reaching this milestone,” Bartlett said. “While its T-6A fleet has already been a proven workhorse for many years, we know the aircraft will last for generations to come training new military pilots around the globe.”

The Beechcraft T-6 military training fleet has surpassed 850 aircraft worldwide with more than 2.5 million flight hours.

(Image provided by Textron Aviation)

FMI: www.textraonaviation.com