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Raytheon T-6 Texan II
The T6 Texan II is an acrobatic tandem-seat aviation trainer.
By Staff Writer
Based on the Pilatus PC-9 aircraft, the Raytheon-built T-6 Texan II series was the product of a Department of Defense initiative to consolidate pilot training among the Air Force and Navy branches, doing away with the older generation T-34 and T-37's in service. Started in 1991, the JPATS (Joint Primary Aircraft Training System) was established as a combination of resources in an effort to reduce the overall costs of pilot training through the two major air branches of service in the United States Military. The T-6 Texan II was the aircraft tabbed for production - beating out no fewer than six other suitors - and became the follow-up in namesake and role to the World War Two-era T-6 Texan propeller-driven aircraft.
The T-6 Texan II series is based highly on the Beech (now Raytheon) Pilatus PC-9 Mk II series with the first prototype flight conducted in December of 1992 with deliveries beginning as early as 2000. Despite some obvious commonalities, the T-6 Texan II enjoys a reinforced internal structure and a more powerful powerplant. Due to the militarization common in trainer aircraft ported over from civilian brands, the Texan II sports an increased maximum take-off weight and ejection seats. Two airmen - one student and one instructor - can fit into the reinforced bubble canopy. With many T-6 Texan II's on order for the United States, Canada and Greece, the series seems to be on a path to stay as a primary aircraft trainer of many an armed force for years to come.
The Iraqi Air Force is set to receive some 36 AT-6B Texan II light attack variants.
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Last Revision: 9/14/2009 • Special Thanks to Russell B.
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| Specifications for the Raytheon T-6A Texan II |
 Dimensions: |
Length: 33.46ft (10.20m)
Width:33.50ft (10.21m)
Height: 10.70ft (3.26m)
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| Performance: |
About MACH |
Max Speed: 320mph (515kmh; 278kts)
Max Range: 979miles (1,575km)
Rate-of-Climb: 3,100ft/min (945m/min)
Service Ceiling: 30,997ft (9,448m; 5.9miles)
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| Structure: |
Accommodation: 2
Hardpoints: 2
Empty Weight: 4,601lbs (2,087kg)
MTOW: 6,301lbs (2,858kg)
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| Powerplant: |
| Engine(s): 1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turbo-prop engine generating 1,100 shaft horsepower. |
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| Armament Suite: |
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Usually none. Armed versions can mount rocket pods, gun pods, conventional drop bombs and fuel drop tanks as required.
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| Pictures of the Raytheon T-6 Texan II |
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Aircraft Quick Profile |
Image courtesy of the United States Department of Defense.
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| 2000 |
Designation: Raytheon T-6 Texan II
Classification Type: Tandem-Seat Trainer
Contractor: Raytheon Aircraft Company / Hawker Beechcraft - USA
Country of Origin: United States
Production Total: 440 |
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Operators: Canada; Greece; United States; Iraq
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| Variants |
PC-9 Mk II - Beech Production Craft development of the PC-9 series.
T-6A "Texan II" - Base Trainer for use by USAF, USN and Greece Air Force.
T-6A NTA "Texan II" - Armed variant for Greece Air Force; based on T-6A base model; provision for drop bombs, gun pods, rocket pods and external fuel tanks.
T-6B "Texan II" - Updated Texan II; digital cockpit; HOTAS.
AT-6B "Texan II" - Armed Light Attack Variant based on T-6B model.
CT-156 "Harvard II" - Canadian T-6A export version; "Harvard" naming convention is based on historical naming of the original WW2-era T-6 Texan - hence similar designation.
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