Article Posted on : - Oct 07, 2010

A file photo of Beechcraft T-6C military trainer.

WICHITA, KANSAS (BNS): The Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct field evaluation trials of Beechcraft T-6C military trainer from October 11, at the IAF Station Jamnagar, according to a report.

Under the five-day test trials, the instructor pilots of Indian Air Force will evaluate the trainer aircraft. The T-6C is being considered as a replacement for the IAF’s HPT-32 Deepak 2 trainer.

According to the Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC), the company is vying for a contract that specifies an initial purchase of 75 aircraft and options for follow-on orders that could eventually exceed 100 aircraft.

A decision on the contract is anticipated in the coming months.

“The T-6C offers the Indian Air Force the world’s most proven and cost-effective training system available,” Jim Maslowski, HBC president, US and International Government Business, said.

“It accommodates instruction in instrument flight procedures and basic aerial maneuvers and, including its predecessors the T-6A and T-6B, has accounted for more than 640 deliveries worldwide,” he added.

HBC will also demonstrate the T-6C’s maintainability as part of the evaluation.

Beechcraft T-6C military trainer is integrated with modern features; it is equipped with advanced avionics suite that greatly expands advanced training opportunities, including a head-up display, up front control panel, three multifunction displays, hands-on throttle and stick.

The aircraft can also accommodate external fuel tanks with its hard pointing wing, its systems has capabilities of today’s front-line strike fighter aircraft.

Currently, the Beechcraft T-6 is used to train pilots from approximately 20 different countries.