Article Posted on : - Jul 27, 2010

Beechcraft T-6 aircraft.

FARNBOROUGH (BNS): Iraqi Air Force has received the first eight Beechcraft T-6A military trainers from Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) and seven other high performance turboprop aircraft is scheduled to be delivered by the year end.

In August 2009, HBC had received orders from Iraqi Air Force for the delivery of eight T-6A military trainers with a follow-on order for seven additional aircraft in September 2009.

“The T-6A is playing a significant role in the growth and modernisation of the Iraqi Air Force,” Jim Maslowski, HBC president, US and International Government Business said in a company news release.

“As the roles of the Iraqi military forces expand, it is essential that their training and capabilities keep pace with the technology and sophistication of the systems they utilise. The T-6A will prepare Iraqi pilots to transition into 21st century aircraft that are considerably more complex than the equipment they previously employed,” he added.

Under the contract, the company will provide ground based training systems, spares, contract logistics support, maintenance, post production support and technical publications to the aircraft.

The Beechcraft T-6 is a primary trainer aircraft that accommodates instruction in instrument flight procedures and basic aerial manoeuvres. The aircraft delivers an outstanding training capability that is appropriate for the most basic introductory flight training through more challenging and complex advanced training missions.

The NATO Flying Training in Canada, the Hellenic Air Force of Greece, the Israeli Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force and the Royal Moroccan Air Force are using the services of T-6 and its derivatives as their primary trainers.