Hawker Beechcraft Corporation has announced (Sept. 10) the successful first flight of its AT-6 prototype and the program's progression into the next phase of flight test. The AT-6 prototype is a structurally strengthened derivative of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy T-6A/B trainer aircraft.
Hawker Beechcraft is proposing the AT-6 to fill the newly stated US Air Force requirement for a light attack, armed reconnaissance aircraft -- also referred to as a COunter-Insurgency or COIN aircraft. The company is stressing the AT-6 would meets a wide spectrum of needs at a fraction of the cost of other platforms.
"We are very optimistic about the role the AT-6 will play for the warfighter – both in the U.S. and in partner air forces around the world," said Bill Boisture, HBC chairman and CEO. "This is going to be a great airplane and I am pleased with the rapid pace we are moving through our planned test program. We are almost three weeks ahead of schedule. We believe the AT-6 offers the broadest range capabilities available in the market and that is why we continue to invest in its future today," Boisture said in a Sept. 10 press release.
The AT-6 is designed to be able to quickly transition pilots between basic flight training missions and complex NetCentric light attack and armed reconnaissance missions. The next phase of flight testing will last through October, during which the company will continue flight envelope expansion of the heavily instrumented AT-6 prototype, along with performance and handling qualities assessments with various external store configurations.
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