The first production Raytheon T-6A Texan II trainer for the US Air Force is expected to make its maiden flight from Wichita, Kansas, by 17 July.
The first of more than 700 T-6A Texan II trainers for the US Air Force and US Navy's Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) programme rolled out from the company's factory on 29 June. The initial aircraft will be retained for testing, while a second T-6A, which is due to be rolled out by the end of the month, will be the first to be handed over to the USAF, in early 1999. The USN, however, is not expected to take its first aircraft until 2000.
Raytheon also plans to display its demonstration aircraft, the PT2, at the UK's Farnborough air show in September before taking it to Greece for a flight evaluation.
Raytheon is competing for a Greek trainer requirement which is initially expected to call for proposals for 25 to 30 aircraft, with an eventual purchase of up to 60.
The company has already won international business for the aircraft following its JPATS victory, and recently received an order for 24 from Bombardier Services for use in the NATO Flying Training in Canada programme.
The USAF's upgraded Northrop T-38C advanced trainer had its maiden flight on 8 July.
The first flight of the Avionics Upgrade Programme (AUP) T-38C marks the start of test flying under the USAF's Pacer Classic initiative, which will extend the life of the supersonic trainers until 2040. Managed by Boeing, with the Lahav division of Israel Aircraft Industries as major subcontractor, the contract originally covered 427 aircraft, but has now been increased to 509.
The flight tests will support a production decision in early 1999, with a go-ahead expected to be received in August 1999.
The first aircraft is due to move to Edwards AFB, California, by the end of July, to be joined later by a second T-38C for the rest of the flight test programme.
Source: Flight International
