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8 mars 2015 7 08 /03 /mars /2015 17:30
photo IAF

photo IAF

 

04.03.2015 Vered Talala / Eden Sharon - IAF

 

New system will warn ISR planes pilots from impact. The system was already installed in dozens of "Beechcraft King-Air" planes and is used to track adjacent aircraft

 

The ISR (Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance) squadrons in Sde-Dov Airbase were recently equipped with new alert system, which has already helped to upgrade flight safety level.

Throughout the years, the number of active aircraft in the IAF has increased dramatically, directly increasing aerial traffic and the risk of aerial accidents. Four years of hard work on the side of IAF technician came to an end and pilots could go out on operational activities with no fear of unexpected aerial "surprises".

"Now you are not afraid when other airplanes fly next to you", said Lieutenant Colonel Yoav, Commander of the "First" squadron. "There are other implications besides safety. It allows more planes to fly together closely".

 

"We fly much safer today"

The system that installed in the "Beechcraft King-Air B200" and the "Beechcraft King-Air C-12" is tracking close-by aircraft and presenting them to the air crew members on the plane.

When a plane enters the safety range, the system detects an impact hazard and relying on speed, altitude and flight direction data and provide the pilots with relevant verbal alert.

"It is impossible to fly without that system in Israel", said Colonel Yahel, Commander of Sde-Dov Airbase. "It is a highly important system which prevents crashes and therefore saves lives. We fly much safer today".

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18 décembre 2014 4 18 /12 /décembre /2014 13:30
Improvements to the Beechcraft King-Air

 

18.12.2014 Nadav Berger - IAF

 

New flight systems that are currently being installed in Beechcraft King-Air C12 air will make the aircrews safer. The systems are meant to alert the aircrews to a crash or deviation from safe altitude

 

The Beechcraft King Air C-12 will be upgraded next year in order to increase safety thanks to a crash detector system that is currently being installed in the planes.

Over the years the number of aircrafts present in Israeli airspace during intensive operational activity has increased, which increases the aerial traffic in the area and, by extension, the risk of an aerial crash. The system that is currently being installed in the Beechcraft King Air C-12 is a system that tracks aircrafts flying near the plane and displays them to the aircrews on a flight monitor. When different air plane crosses the safety range, the system recognizes the risk of a crash according to the speed, altitude and direction, and the air crews receive a vocal warning accordingly.

Another system that is being installed in the airplanes is designed to maintain the correct altitude. The system informs the aircrews when they have reached the correct altitude and gives them a vocal signal when the airplane exceeds the limits of the correct altitude.

The installation of the two systems is expected to be completed by the end of 2014 in the planes operated by the "Aerial Kings" squadron from Sde Dov airbase. In the future, a designed to alert the aircrews to a sudden shutdown of the automatic flight systemis expected to be installed in the planes.

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10 octobre 2014 5 10 /10 /octobre /2014 06:45
Beechcraft 1900 de Sahel Aviation Services

Beechcraft 1900 de Sahel Aviation Services


05.10.2014 par Philippe Chapleau - Lignes de Défense
 

Théoriquement, l'armée française dispose dans la BSS "d'une dizaine d'avions de transport" (selon l'EMA) de types Transall, ATR, Hercules... Mais la disponibilité n'étant pas toujours au rendez-vous et les besoins étant eux réguliers, il a été décidé de faire appel au privé pour le transport (fret et pax).

Exemple avec le général Palasset joue à saute-moutons dans la BSS avec un des 9 Beechcraft 1900 de Sahel Aviation Services (SAS) basée à Bamako (photo ci-dessus). Pas de TBM700 pour lui! Il est donc obligé de louer un appareil à la société malienne, dont une grande partie du personnel est sud-africaine. SAS vole aussi au profit de l'Onu.

 

Toujours dans la BSS, on aura noté dans un récent article publié sur le site de l'EMA (photo ci-dessus) que les relèves à Gao sont désormais assurées par un ATR des Lineas Aereas de Canarias. Cet appareil est affrêté par ICS.

Enfin, ce même affrêteur français va mettre en place un AN-26 pour assurer le transport du fret entre Gao et les villes de Kidal, Tessalit et Tombouctou pour le compte de l'armée française, décidément bien mal équipée en avions de transport dans la zone de la BSS.

 

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26 mars 2014 3 26 /03 /mars /2014 08:25
Beechcraft T-6 trainer

Beechcraft T-6 trainer

 

25 Mar 2014 by Jon Hemmerdinger - FG

 

Washington DC - Mexico is expanding its fleet of Beechcraft T-6C Texan trainers with a new order for two aircraft by the nation's navy, the company says.

 

The aircraft, designated T-6C+ models, will be delivered "this summer", Beechcraft says.

 

Beechcraft, a division of Textron, says it is also working on a contract to provide two years of parts support, pilot and mechanic training and field support to the Mexican navy.

 

The aircraft will have glass cockpits with Esterline CMC Cockpit 4000 avionics, which include flight management systems and a global positioning system certificated by the US Federal Aviation Administration, says Beechcraft.

 

The Mexican air force already has six T-6s, and has placed an order for an additional six aircraft, according to Flightglobal’s MiliCAS database.

 

The announcement comes two months after news broke that New Zealand will buy 11 T-6Cs in a $127 million deal that includes simulators, classroom- and computer-based training equipment and other training and maintenance support.

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20 mars 2014 4 20 /03 /mars /2014 12:20
King Air 350ER. (Hawker Beechcraft)

King Air 350ER. (Hawker Beechcraft)

 

19 mars Aerobuzz.fr

 

L’achat de Beech Holdings, maison-mère de Beechcraft Corporation, par Textron Inc. est bouclé. Les marques Cessna et Beechcraft sont désormais réunies sous la même entité baptisée Textron Aviation qui pèse 4,6 Md$ (chiffre d’affaires cumulé 2013). Si une synergie sera mise en place au niveau notamment des supports clients, les marques Cessna, Beechcraft et Hawker resteront distinctes. Le catalogue de Textron Aviation est impressionnant. Il réunit en effet les deux familles de biréacteurs d’affaires Citation et Hawker, la gamme des biturbopropulseurs King Air et les monoburbopropulseurs Caravan, ainsi que les avions à pistons Cessna et Beechcraft (mono et bimoteurs). Sans oublier les avions d’entrainement militaire Beechcraft T-6 et AT-6.

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17 mars 2014 1 17 /03 /mars /2014 13:20
T-6C Texan II. (Beechcraft)

T-6C Texan II. (Beechcraft)

 

Mar 14, 2014 ASDNews Source : Textron Inc

 

    Integrates Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker Aircraft Brands Into New ''Textron Aviation'' Business Segment

 

Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) today announced it has closed its acquisition of Beech Holdings, LLC, the parent of Beechcraft Corporation, and that it will bring together its Cessna business and Beechcraft to form a new segment called Textron Aviation. Cessna and Beechcraft together produced about $4.6 billion in revenues during 2013.

 

The acquisition brings together three iconic brands, each pioneering many of general aviation’s most notable advances in the past century. Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker bring 200-plus years of combined aviation experience to the market and an installed customer base of more than 250,000 airplanes worldwide. Going forward, Textron Aviation intends to share and leverage best practices across all operations to further its position as an aviation authority. Scott Ernest, who has served as Cessna’s President and CEO since 2011, will lead the Textron Aviation segment as CEO.

 

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27 janvier 2014 1 27 /01 /janvier /2014 13:35
T-6C trainer - Royal New Zealand Air Force

T-6C trainer - Royal New Zealand Air Force

 

 

Jan. 27, 2014 FG

 

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is to buy 11 Beechcraft T-6Cs to meet its requirement for an advanced pilot training capability. The NZ$154 million ($127 million) deal will also include simulators and classroom- and computer-based training packages.

 

New Zealand requires an intermediate trainer with a glass cockpit that will be able to take students from the Pacific Aerospace CT-4E Airtrainer to the Lockheed Martin P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, Boeing 757 and upgraded Lockheed C-130H transports, plus the AgustaWestland AW109, NH Industries NH90 and future Kaman SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopters.

 

The Pilot Training Capability project was announced in the Defence White Paper 2010. A request for information (RFI) was issued to industry in October 2011, and Beechcraft’s T-6C demonstrator made a tour to New Zealand in 2012, and was used to fly a number of Royal New Zealand Air Force officers. The extent to which other competing aircraft were evaluated is unknown.

 

At the time of the RFI, the government said that it was open to a purchase or lease, or to contracting a complete pilot training package from a commercial provider.

 

Under the deal, CAE simulators will be installed at the air force's Ohakea base and supported by CAE Australia. Also included in a 30-year contract is maintenance support by New Zealand company Safe Air, which will create around 21 new jobs at Ohakea.

 

The T-6Cs will be operated by 14 Sqn, which previously flew the Aermacchi MB-339CB in the advanced training and light attack roles, until the disbandment of the New Zealand’s air combat force in 2001.

 

A first aircraft will be delivered from Wichita, Kansas in mid-2015, but will be owned by Beechcraft and used to train maintenance personnel. Training facilities and simulators should also be in place by the same time, enabling the first qualified flying instructor course to begin.

 

The deal was signed by defence secretary Helene Quilter and Beechcraft Defense president Russ Bartlett on 24 January, and formally announced by defence minister Jonathan Coleman on 27 January.

 

“The new system is expected to be operational for the first trainee intake in early 2016," Coleman says. "It is estimated it will produce up to 15 graduate pilots and 12 qualifying flying instructors per year over the next 30 years.”

 

Basic pilot training is currently carried out on the CT-4E, but structural problems with the leased fleet have reportedly caused backlogs in the output of qualified pilots. The type is scheduled to reach the end of its service life in 2018. Advanced and twin-engined training is conducted with the Beechcraft King Air 200, which are leased under a contract that will expire in 2018.

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11 décembre 2013 3 11 /12 /décembre /2013 08:20
T-6A Texan II photo USAF

T-6A Texan II photo USAF

 

WICHITA, Kan., Dec. 10 (UPI)

 

Beechcraft Defense Co. and FlightSafety International have completed deliveries of ground-based T-6 pilot training devices to the U.S. military.

 

The last of 131 units produced for the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System was delivered to the U.S. Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas.

 

"We're proud to be able to say that all student pilots for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps are trained in Beechcraft T-6 aircraft and the T-6 simulators produced in a partnership between Beechcraft and FlightSafety," said Russ Bartlett, president of Beechcraft Defense. "It's been an impressive partnership: every single T-6 aircrew training device has been delivered on time and on budget."

 

The T-6 is a single-engine turboprop based on Pilatus of Switzerland's PC-9. It is used by the U.S. military and the armed forces of Canada, Mexico, Greece, Israel and Morocco, among others.

 

The T-6 training devices by Beechcraft and FlightSafety replicate the aircraft's cockpit layout and aircraft performance.

 

Additional details on the training devices were not provided.

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21 novembre 2013 4 21 /11 /novembre /2013 12:20
Beechcraft wants to offer anti-submarine warfare capabilities with its Special Mission King Air 350ER. (Hawker Beechcraft)

Beechcraft wants to offer anti-submarine warfare capabilities with its Special Mission King Air 350ER. (Hawker Beechcraft)

 

Nov. 19, 2013 - By ANDREW CHUTER – Defense News

 

DUBAI — Beechcraft is looking to add anti-submarine warfare (ASW) to the lengthy list of capabilities offered by its King Air 350 ER in the special missions market, according to Justin Ladner the company sales vice president.

 

Ladner said Beechcraft has been approached by several systems integrators for an ASW-lite concept capable of combating the increasing numbers of mini-submarines used by drug smugglers and the military.

 

The executive, who heads Beechcraft’s special mission aircraft sales worldwide, said ASW is an emerging market and he expected to receive several tenders in the next 12 months that an ASW-capable version of the twin-engined King Air 350ER could address.

 

Some of those requests would be for customers in the Arabian Gulf region he said.

 

Mini-submarine numbers are on the rise. United Arab Emirates Navy chief Rear Adm. Ibrahim al Musharrakh recently told the Gulf Naval Commanders Conference that Iranian midget submarines are an imminent threat they were looking to counter.

 

The growing potential of mini-subs was illustrated at the Defence Security Exhibition International show in London in September when British company James Fisher Defence created considerable interest with a range of small submersibles capable of transporting special forces on covert operations.

 

Company officials at the show reported heavy interest in the craft on the back of the recapitalization of naval special forces.

 

Drug smugglers are also known to use mini-subs to transport narcotics in places like Latin America.

 

The addition of ASW capabilities would add to already strong levels of interest for the King Air in the maritime role. Ladner said Beechcraft was increasing its list of maritime patrol aircraft operators by handing over aircraft to Argentina this week.

 

The growing interest in maritime surveillance opportunities in the gulf and elsewhere is not limited to Beechcraft. Boeing and Saab both emphasized their interest in the sector at the Dubai show.

 

Boeing chose to use the show to take the wraps off a tie-up with Bombardier and Field Aviation to offer a Challenger 605 business jet-based maritime surveillance aircraft and Saab turned up with actual hardware in the shape of the smaller, and considerably cheaper, converted 340 turboprop airliner. Neither offer ASW capabilities.

 

A move into the bottom end of the ASW sector could provide Beechcraft with further opportunities to build a special missions aircraft operation that already accounts for more than a third of the company’s annual business.

 

It’s a sector that already spans intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, such as the King Air Shadow machines widely used by the British in the Afghanistan conflict, through to the less technically demanding training and air ambulance roles.

 

Special mission business was constrained last year by Beechcraft undergoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but having emerged from that Ladner said business in the sector was already 2.5 times higher than 2012 with the prospect of further deals to come before the year ends, including at least one in the gulf region.

 

“The gulf region is one of the fastest growing market sectors for special mission aircraft as customers had the needs and the budgets to acquire aircraft,” said Ladner speaking at the Dubai air show this week.

 

The Beechcraft executive reported high levels of interest in special mission aircraft at Dubai.

 

“It’s been one of the busiest shows of the year for us,” he said.

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24 septembre 2013 2 24 /09 /septembre /2013 07:35
Teams Form for Australia Trainer Contest

BAE Systems has announced it has teamed with Beechcraft and CAE to bid for Australia's pilot training system. The bid will be based on Beechcraft's T-6C Texan II. (Beechcraft)

 

Sep. 23, 2013 - By NIGEL PITTAWAY  - Defense News

 

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — BAE Systems announced on Sept. 11 that it has teamed with Beechcraft and CAE to bid for the Australian Defence Force’s fixed-wing pilot training system.

 

John Quaife, BAE’s general manager for aviation solutions, said the team will provide a total flight training solution, based on Beechcraft’s T-6C Texan II turboprop trainer.

 

“Designed to meet the needs of undergraduate pilot training for the United States, Canada and other NATO air forces, the T-6C has amassed more than 2 million flying hours and has proven its ability as a versatile, cost-effective platform,” he said.

 

BAE Systems has provided services to Australia’s forces for flight screening and basic flying training since 1992 and won an AUS $88.8 million (US $83 million) Interim Basic Flying Training (IBFT) contract for a further six years in 2011. It also provides flying training and support in Australia for the Republic of Singapore Air Force, Royal Brunei Air Force and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.

 

The company is also teamed with Beechcraft in the US to support T-6-based pilot training for the US Navy.

 

The Australian pilot training system competition, known as Project AIR 5428, has been underway since 2005, but a formal request for tender was released in August.

 

The BAE Systems/Beechcraft/CAE team is the first to break cover in the current incarnation of Air 5428. Raytheon Australia was an earlier team member, but the company declined to provide details regarding its status.

 

“Raytheon Australia maintains the same active interest in the AIR 5428 program that it has demonstrated over the last decade,” was all the company was prepared to say and was not prepared to attribute the statement to an individual.

 

Similarly, Boeing Defence Australia is also interested in the competition, but said only “There are a number of opportunities that Boeing is focused on in Australia. For competitive reasons, however, we decline to comment on specific projects.”

 

The Pilatus PC-21 is the main competitor to the T-6C, but the Swiss company is yet to reveal its plans for the pilot training system.

 

AIR 5428 will replace the separate fixed-wing basic and advanced flying training programs with a single system that will take a candidate from flight screening to wings and will make significant use of simulation and other synthetic training aids.

 

The tender is due to close in February and the successful system will graduate its first students in early 2017.

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23 septembre 2013 1 23 /09 /septembre /2013 17:20
A Beechcraft's AT-6 aircraft launches a weapon. Photo Beechcraft Corporation.

A Beechcraft's AT-6 aircraft launches a weapon. Photo Beechcraft Corporation.

23 September 2013 airforce-technology.com

 

The US Air Force Air National Guard, with Georgia Tech Research Institute, has completed the assessment and demonstration of the single channel ground and airborne radio system situational awareness (SINCGARS SA) waveform capability on Beechcraft's AT-6 light attack aircraft.

 

As part of the demonstration, the dual ARC-210 Warrior Radios of the AT-6 were configured, allowing the aircraft to securely and directly communicate with three different joint terminal attack controllers (JTAC) at a time, who were positioned to perform several, realistic combat situations.

 

The technology is a software-controlled high-frequency radio and is expected to play a key role in military armed reconnaissance by providing digital communication and global positioning services (GPS) in both fixed and mobile configurations.

 

Encouraged by the successful demonstration of the SINCGARS SA Waveform, US military is now expected to further develop tactics in its close air support (CAS), combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) and combat search-and-rescue task force (CSARTF) missions going forward.

 

AT-6 became the first aircraft to use the new technology capability; it has reportedly transmitted and received tactical audio and dynamic position locations with fielded combat ground radios successfully during assessment.

 

Beechcraft Defense Company president Russ Bartlett said: "Beechcraft's AT-6 was selected as the first fixed-wing aircraft to perform this demonstration due to its advanced communications and data transfer capabilities, which enables it to perform complex close air support and combat search-and-rescue missions."

 

At the time of demonstration, the ground forces were carrying PRC-148, PRC-152 and PRC-117 radios, said Beechcraft.

 

Designed for light attack missions in the most demanding scenarios, AT-6 is equipped with Pratt and Whitney PT6A-68D engine, CMC Esterline's mission modified Cockpit 4000, Lockheed Martin's A-10C-based mission system and L-3 WESCAM's MX-15Di sensor suite, the company said.

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19 septembre 2013 4 19 /09 /septembre /2013 07:50
Elbit-KBR Team Tapped for UK Trainer Competition

The Beechcraft T-6C trainer is part of a bid package by Elbit and KBR to supply the UK with military trainers. (Beechcraft)

 

Sep. 18, 2013 - By ANDREW CHUTER – Defense News

 

LONDON — Three fixed-wing aircraft types — including the Beechcraft T-6C — are set to train British military pilots following the selection of a team involving Elbit Systems and KBR to supply and support the platforms, according to executives familiar with the competition.

 

The executives said the team, known as Affinity, has emerged as the winning bidder and has been selected for further negotiations by Ascent, the Lockheed Martin-Babcock partnership running a 30-year deal with the British Defence Ministry, to manage pilot and crew training for the armed forces.

 

Ascent referred questions to the MoD. Ministry officials were unable to respond at press time. The Affinity consortium members also declined to comment.

 

The Affinity bid included Beechcraft’s T-6C turboprop basic trainer, a modified Embraer Phenom 100 light business jet for multi-enginetraining and the Grob 120TP elementary trainer, executives said.

 

Under the 15-year availability deal, Affinity will provide and support the fixed-wing flying training element of the UK Military Flying Training System (MFTS) program.

 

The contract is expected to be worth more than £500 million (US $795 million) to Affinity. It is not clear whether the decision has to be ratified by the MoD and others in government.

 

Contract signature is scheduled to take place by 2015, assuming Affinity and Ascent successfully conclude negotiations.

 

If Affinity sticks to the timescale laid out by Ascent, introduction of the new aircraft types could get underway in 2017 with the Grob 120TP, followed a year later by the Phenom 100 and then the T-6C.

 

Conclusion of the deal will likely spell the end of the road for the Embraer Tucano and Grob G-115 aircraft used by the British to train military crews.

 

Advanced jet training will continue to be provided by government-furnished BAE Hawker T2 jets.

 

The combination of Elbit and KBR faced off against rival bids from a BAE Systems-led team that includes Babcock, Gama Aviation and Pilatus, and a proposal from Cassidian.

 

Elbit already provides flying training services for the Israeli military with the G-120 and the T-6, and KBR has an extensive footprint in the UK supporting the armed forces locally and in hot spots like Afghanistan.

 

Ascent signed the public-private partnership deal with the MoD to run the MFTS program in 2008.

 

Originally estimated to be worth around £6 billion over the life of the program, MFTS has been impacted by reduced crew requirements in the wake of defense budget cuts by the British government.

 

The system replaces separate flying fixed-wing and rotary training programs for the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Army Air Corps.

 

Ascent reported mid-year that the first Air Force fast-jet students had graduated under the plan.

 

The system is already delivering Royal Navy observer training using Grob 115 and King Air 350 platforms, along with synthetic training.

 

A similar plan to provide helicopters and support for rotor-wing training has been on ice but is now starting to gather pace

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11 septembre 2013 3 11 /09 /septembre /2013 17:35
Beechcraft T-6C at Paris Air Show 2013

Beechcraft T-6C at Paris Air Show 2013

Sept. 11, 2013 by Ellis Taylor – FG

 

Singapore - BAE Systems has announced that it will team with CAE and Beechcraft to bid for Australia's military pilot training system project.

 

BAE will lead the consortium, with CAE will providing training, simulation and support services. Beechcraft will provide the T-6C Texan II as the primary trainer aircraft on a non-exclusive basis.

 

John Quaife, general manager aviation solutions for BAE Systems Australia says that Beechcraft and BAE already work together to deliver pilot training to the US Navy. CAE was also selected by BAE to provide three simulators for the Royal Australian Air Force's Hawk Lead-In Fighter programme.

 

Since 1992, BAE has operated the Australian Defence Force's Basic Flight Training School (BFTS) at Tamworth, which provides ab intio training and pilot screening for all ADF pilots using a fleet of Pacific Aerospace CT-4B piston trainer aircraft.

 

"These experiences and our combined track record in military flight training, complex project management and mission systems sustainment mean we can offer the Commonwealth a low risk, value for money solution to train the world's best military aviators at a location of its choosing," says Quaife.

 

The consortium is the first to announce its teaming arrangements in response to the Australian Department of Defence's Air 5428 project, which seeks to provide a complete pilot training system for all undergraduate pilots across the RAAF, Royal Australian Navy and Army.

 

Currently, pilots who graduate from BFTS are then posted to the RAAF's No 2 Flight Training School at RAAF Pearce in Western Australia for advanced training on the Pilatus PC-9/A, after which they are then posted to an operational squadron.

 

Under Air 5428, the respective training aircraft would be replaced by a new integrated training system run by the successful contractor. Australia would also likely acquire the same aircraft for use with the Aircraft Research and Development Unit and Forward Air Control Development Unit of the RAAF.

 

Lockheed Martin is expected to announce its teaming for the project soon, with industry sources indicating that it is likely to choose the Pilatus PC-21 as its main flying platform and will team with Hawker Pacific for sustainment. The three companies already provide a similar training package for pilots from the Republic of Singapore Air Force at RAAF Pearce under the Basic Wings programme.

 

Boeing, Thales and Raytheon are also expected to announce partners for their respective bids soon.

 

The tender will close in February 2014, with selection expected by the end of June 2015. Initial operating capability has been targeted for 2015-17.

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25 août 2013 7 25 /08 /août /2013 11:20
The AT-6 light attack aircraft during its first production test flight at Beechcraft's facility in Kansas, US. Photo Beechcraft Corporation.

The AT-6 light attack aircraft during its first production test flight at Beechcraft's facility in Kansas, US. Photo Beechcraft Corporation.

23 August 2013 airforce-technology.com

 

Beechcraft has carried out the initial test flight of its first production AT-6 light attack aircraft at its facility in Wichita, Kansas, US.

 

Having already completed more than 1,600 flight hours, the aircraft is being offered to the US allies seeking light attack air support for demanding missions.

 

During flight test, the aircraft was loaded with a pair of 250L drop tanks, two inert GBU-58 laser-guided bombs, two LAU-131 seven-shot rocket launchers, as well as a L-3 Wescam Mx-15Di electro-optical infrared camera, Flight Global reports.

 

Beechcraft CEO Bill Boisture said the flight test demonstrates the collaborative effort of the entire Beechcraft team involved in the design, development and production of the AT-6 aircraft.

 

''We have seen a growing interest in the AT-6 from the defence establishment around the world and we are eager to provide proven reliability and a cost-effective solution to meet the light attack mission needs of our customers,'' Boisture said.

"The aircraft is being offered to the US allies seeking light attack air support for demanding missions."

 

Beechcraft Defense Company president Russ Bartlett said: ''This light attack aircraft is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and avionics that will provide partnering nations with a proven air platform and weapons systems that are already in use by air forces around the world.''

 

Powered by a single Pratt and Whitney PT6A-68D engine, the AT-6 is an armed variant of T-6B Texan II aircraft under development to support a variety of operations, including training, manned intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, and light precision attack missions.

 

Equipped with CMC Esterline's mission modified Cockpit 4000 and Lockheed Martin-built A-10C-based mission system, the aircraft can also be used in the support of convoy escort, homeland defence, counter-narcotics, disaster area reconnaissance, search-and-rescue and firefighting operations.

 

The aircraft has successfully demonstrated high-end net-centric and light attack capabilities and full compatibility with US and Nato joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) systems during the Air National Gurad's (ANG) Operational Assessment and Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment in 2010.

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15 juin 2013 6 15 /06 /juin /2013 11:35
SuperTucano photo Embraer

SuperTucano photo Embraer

Jun 14, 2013 ASDNews Source : Beechcraft Corp.

 

Beechcraft Corporation today issued the following statement regarding the ruling by the U.S. Government Accountability Office on Beechcraft's petition for further review of the U.S. Air Force's award of the Light Air Support contract to Brazil-based Embraer.

 

"It is deeply distressing that the Air Force selected a more expensive, less capable, foreign-manufactured airplane with weapons and systems unfamiliar to, and outside the control of, the United States military. We have known that the requirements for this procurement were written to favor the competition's aircraft. During this protest, we learned that the GAO's review looks only at whether the Air Force followed its process, but not whether the process itself was actually correct or appropriate. We question whether the Embraer aircraft with its foreign-made weapons can be certified to U.S. military standards in time to provide the mission-capable aircraft per the contract.

 

"It is now time for Congress to step in and put an end to this flawed acquisition process and limit the purchase of the Brazilian aircraft to only that of the Afghanistan requirement covered by the first delivery order of the LAS contract.

 

"Beechcraft remains confident that the AT-6, which was rated "Exceptional" by the Air Force, was the better choice for LAS and is the best aircraft for U.S. partner nations in need of light attack aircraft. The company is certain that future procurements, including those run by other governments, will validate this rating and result in the selection of the AT-6 for counterinsurgency and irregular warfare missions."

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