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April 7, 2010 –
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) and Pratt & Whitney
The AT-6 is a
structurally strengthened derivative of the highly successful U.S. Air
Force (USAF) and U.S. Navy (USN) T-6A/B trainer that will address the
mission needs of the USAF for a Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance
(LAAR) aircraft. The USAF is expected to launch an acquisition program
this year. |
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The integration of the PT6A-68D engine, designed to improve aircraft
performance over the first AT-6 PRTV, was accomplished by the HBC-P&WC
team in only nine months and was executed concurrently with the first
PRTV’s A-10-based mission avionics upgrade. The new T-6 derivative,
while incorporating structural improvements and increased electrical
power generation required for the LAAR mission, still retains
approximately 95 percent overall commonality with the baseline T-6B.
“The AT-6 team has made remarkable progress in a very short time by
integrating proven low-risk technologies on both of our AT-6 test
vehicles,” said Jim Maslowski, president, Hawker Beechcraft
“Pratt & Whitney |
The AT-6 is
designed to be able to quickly transition pilots between basic flight
training missions and complex NetCentric LAAR missions. The AT-6
incorporates the very best of proven training and close air support
capability to meet expected LAAR requirements. The aircraft covers a
wide mission spectrum that includes training, manned Intelligence
Surveillance and Reconnaissance and light precision attack, while also
offering non-traditional capabilities for Homeland Defense, Homeland
Security and Civil Support missions. |
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