Raytheon T-6A Texan II
Raytheon (Beechcraft) · United States · first flew 1992 · light aircraft
The Raytheon T-6A Texan II is the US military's Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) winner, a tandem-seat turboprop trainer descended from the Swiss Pilatus PC-9. It replaced the T-37 Tweet and T-34C Turbo Mentor in USAF and US Navy service.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboprop, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.16 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single turboprop primary trainer with tandem cockpit
- Low-wing with retractable tricycle undercarriage
- JPATS winner used by USAF and USN
Distinguished by its single PT6A turboprop, tandem bubble canopy flush with a smooth fuselage spine, low-mounted wing, and retractable gear — cleaner and more powerful-looking than the piston trainers it replaced.
Specifications
- The Raytheon T-6A Texan II has a length of 10.16 m (33 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.19 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 584 km/h (363 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (tandem).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Raytheon won the JPATS competition in 1995 with a modified Pilatus PC-9 design, incorporating a new cockpit, avionics, and structural changes to meet American requirements. The first USAF deliveries occurred in 2000, and the type quickly became the backbone of US undergraduate pilot training. Over 700 T-6As were delivered to American services.
Variants
The T-6A is the baseline USAF/USN variant; the T-6B introduced a glass cockpit; the T-6C is an export model with further upgrades; the AT-6 is a light attack derivative.
Where you'll see it
Primary trainer for USAF, US Navy, and many allied air forces including Canada (CT-156 Harvard II), Israel, Iraq, Morocco, and others worldwide.
Related aircraft
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