Article Posted on : - Jan 19, 2012

The Beechcraft T-6C military trainer jet. The new T-6C+ is an advanced variant of the T-6 plane. AHawker Beechcraft photo

WICHITA, USA (BNS): US aerospace company Hawker Beechcraft has bagged its first order to sell six T-6C+ military trainer jets to Mexico.

The first two of the six T-6C+ jets, which are an advanced version of the T-6 military trainer aircraft, will be delivered to the Mexican Air Force in early 2012, the company said while announcing the contract on January 9.

It did not disclose the contract amount.

The T-6C+ jet featuring hard-point wings is capable of carrying external stores and delivering practice weapons for training purposes.

The advanced trainer aircraft also features heads-up display, up-front control panel, an integrated glass cockpit and an advanced Esterline CMC Cockpit 4000 avionics suite that greatly expands advanced training opportunities for rookie pilots.

The new T-6C+ trainers will replace the Mexican Air Force's aging Pilatus PC-7 fleet.

"We look forward to providing the Mexican Air Force with the highly effective, ultra-reliable and low-maintenance Beechcraft T-6C+," said Jim Maslowski, president of the company.

"We see this sale of six aircraft as just the beginning of a long and productive relationship with the FAM," Maslowski added.

The previous variant of the jet, the T-6, is operational with the US Navy and US Air Force for over a decade. The aircraft has also been chosen by Canada, Greece, Israel, Iraq and Morocco as the primary jet trainer.

To date, the T-6 has been used to train pilots, navigators, and weapons systems operators from approximately 20 different countries, according to the company.