Beechcraft military trainer certification opens path to new market
The European Aviation Safety Agency has awarded basic certification to the Beechcraft T-6C military trainer, Textron Aviation Defense said in a news release on Monday.
The approval from the EASA will support further certification and delivery of 10 previously ordered and Wichita-built T-6C aircraft for the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s Military Flying Training System.
Delivery of those airplanes is expected to begin in 2018.
“Achieving EASA certification for the T-6C supports the progression of our contract with UKMFTS, and additionally opens up opportunities to provide a proven military training platform to the European market,” Tom Hammoor, president of Textron Aviation Defense, said in the release.
The T-6C is an advanced version of the T-6A with upgraded avionics, including a heads-up display, and air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons training capabilities.
The airplane was first announced in 2009 with the Royal Moroccan Air Force as the launch customer. In 2011, the first of 24 T-6Cs was delivered to the RMAF.
Since then, 11 T-6Cs have been delivered to the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Jerry Siebenmark: 316-268-6576, @jsiebenmark
This story was originally published June 26, 2017 at 10:45 AM.