Beechcraft T-6 Texan II

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Jet Trainer / Light Attack

Beechcraft T-6 Texan II

The turboprop trainer behind many air forces

The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is a single-engine turboprop primary trainer built by Beechcraft in Wichita, Kansas, in service with the US Air Force since 2000. Derived from the Swiss Pilatus PC-9, more than 900 have been built.

United States|Beechcraft (Textron Aviation) / Hawker Beechcraft
585 km/hMax Speed1,670 kmRange9,450 mService Ceiling2Crew3.18 tMax Takeoff WeightIn ProductionStatus

Overview

The US JPATS programme selected the aircraft in 1995, and the T-6A first flew on 15 July 1998. USAF service began in 2000, replacing the T-37B, and the US Navy adopted the T-6B with a digital cockpit from 2009, replacing the T-34C. A Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turboprop of about 1,100 shp gives a top speed near 585 km/h, a ceiling of 9,450 m and a range of about 1,670 km. Two crew sit in tandem on Martin-Baker zero-zero ejection seats in a pressurised cockpit.

More than 900 have been built, around 700 for US forces. Operators include the United States, Canada, Greece, Mexico, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Morocco, among others. The trainer is unarmed, but the AT-6 Wolverine derivative carries guns, rockets and missiles and is offered for export. Students fly the T-6 before moving to jets such as the T-38 or T-45, and the T-7A Red Hawk handles advanced training. Price is about 5 to 7 million US dollars per aircraft, a hedged figure.

Beechcraft T-6 Texan II
Photo: Consulate General of the United States, Ho Chi Minh City / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Key Specifications

ManufacturerBeechcraft (Textron Aviation) / Hawker Beechcraft
CountryUnited States
ManufacturerBeechcraft / Textron Aviation
Countryus
First Flight1993
Entered Service2000
StatusIn Production
Crew2
Length10.2 m
Wingspan10.2 m
Height3.3 m
Max Speed585 km/h
Range1,670 km
Service Ceiling9,450 m
Max Takeoff Weight3.18 t
Engine1× PT6A-68
Power1,100 shp
Units Built900+

Variants

T-6A

The T-6A is the original USAF version that replaced the T-37B from 2000.

T-6B

The T-6B is the US Navy version with a digital cockpit.

AT-6 Wolverine

The AT-6 Wolverine is the armed light attack and ISR derivative offered for export.

Operators

United StatesCanadaGreeceMexicoNew ZealandSaudi ArabiaIraqMorocco

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the T-6 Texan II cost?

The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II costs about 5 to 7 million US dollars per aircraft, a hedged estimate. Export prices depend on equipment and support packages.

How fast is the T-6 Texan II?

The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II has a maximum speed of about 585 km/h. Its ceiling is about 9,450 m and its range is about 1,670 km.

Which countries use the T-6 Texan II?

The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is used by the United States, Canada, Greece, Mexico, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Morocco, among others. More than 900 aircraft have been built.

Is the T-6 Texan II armed?

The standard Beechcraft T-6 Texan II trainer is not armed. The AT-6 Wolverine variant carries guns, rockets and missiles on its hardpoints for light attack and ISR missions.

T-6 Texan II vs PC-21: what is the difference?

The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is derived from the Pilatus PC-9, while the Pilatus PC-21 is a newer Swiss trainer from the same company. Both are turboprop trainers competing for air force orders.

Does Türkiye use the T-6?

Türkiye does not use the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II. The Turkish Air Force trains on the indigenous Turkish Aerospace HÜRKUŞ, a turboprop trainer of similar class.