$228 Million Contract Option for 47 T-6A Aircraft

Raytheon Aircraft has been awarded a $228 million contract by the US government for 47 T-6A aircraft and associated program training devices.  This is the 11th straight option year exercised, out of a potential total of 19 for the entire program. The current option exercise extends deliveries through 2007.

The JPATS program, which is the primary pilot training program for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, calls for nearly 800 aircraft through the year 2017. To date, the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy have ordered 301 aircraft, and 149 have been delivered -- 120 to the U.S Air Force and 29 to the U.S. Navy. The total value of the acquisition program to date, including options, is $2.3 billion.

“The JPATS program continues to perform like clockwork,” said Raytheon Aircraft Chairman and CEO Jim Schuster. “The oversight and assistance from Kansas Fourth District Representative Todd Tiahrt and U.S. Senators Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts in Congress helps keep this program running smoothly.”

The U.S. Air Force began training pilots in the T-6A at Moody Air Force Base (Ga.) in October 2001. The U.S. Navy is conducting Undergraduate Military Flight Officer training at NAS Pensacola (Fl). In addition, the NATO Flying Training in Canada program purchased 26 T-6As and has been training pilots with the T-6A since 2000. The Hellenic Air Force of Greece ordered 45 aircraft, all of which have been delivered.

FMI: www.raytheonaircraft.com