The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is a single-engine turboprop aircraft built by the Raytheon Aircraft Company (Textron Aviation since 2014).
A trainer aircraft based on the Pilatus PC-9, the T-6 has replaced the United States Air Force’s Cessna T-37B Tweet and the United States Navy’s T-34C Turbo Mentor.
The T-6A is used by the United States Air Force for basic pilot training and Combat Systems Officer (CSO) training, the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps for primary Naval Aviator training and primary and intermediate Naval Flight Officer (NFO) training, and by the Royal Canadian Air Force, Greek Air Force, Israeli Air Force, and Iraqi Air Force for basic flight training.
The T-6B is the primary trainer for U.S. student naval aviators (SNAs).
The T-6C is used for training by the Mexican Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Moroccan Air Force, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Variants
Model 3000
Company designation
T-6A Texan II
Standard version for the USAF, USN, and Hellenic Air Force.
T-6A NTA Texan II
Armed version of the T-6A for the HAF.
T-6A NTA has the capability to carry rocket pods, gun pods, external fuel tanks, and bombs
T-6B Texan II
Upgraded version of the T-6A with a digital glass cockpit that includes a Head-Up Display (HUD), six multi-function displays (MFD) and Hands on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS), used at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, and United States Naval Test Pilot School.
AT-6B Wolverine
Initial armed version of the T-6B for primary weapons training or light attack roles.
It has the same digital cockpit but upgraded to include data link and integrated electro-optical sensors along with several weapons configurations.
Engine power is increased to 1,600 shp (1193 kW) with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-68D engine, and the structure is reinforced.
T-6C Texan II
Upgraded version of the T-6B with wing hard points, primarily designated for export sales.
T-6D Texan II
Version based on T-6B and C for the US Army for operational support, testing, utility, and chase plane roles.
AT-6E Wolverine
Production armed version of the T-6 for primary weapons training or light attack roles.
Two delivered to the USAF for continued testing.
In November 2021, eight were ordered by Thailand as the AT-6TH.
CT-156 Harvard II
Version of the T-6A for NFTC with the Canadian Forces.
Nearly identical to standard USAF and USN in terms of avionics, cockpit layout, and performance.
