The first Raytheon T-6A Texan II has been handed over to the USAir Force's Air Education and Training Command at Randolph AFB, Texas. The USAF and US Navy will operate 454 and 328 T-6s respectively.
The aircraft, developed from the Pilatus PC-9, was the winner of the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System and has been selected for the NATO Flying Training in Canada programme. At Randolph AFB, the first T-6A will begin a seven-month-long mission operational test and evaluation programme during which the USAF and USN will put the aircraft through a range of representative missions.
The Randolph-based 12th Flying Training Wing will receive its first Texan later this year for instructor training. The USN is due to receive its first T-6 next year, with operational use starting in 2003. The T-6 will replace Cessna T-37 Tweets and the Beech T-34 Mentor.
Source: Flight International
