The Mexican Navy Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR) has awarded a contract to Beechcraft, part of the Textron Aviation segment of Textron, to deliver two T-6C+ military trainers.
The contract, which marks the first step in modernising the Mexican Navy’s fixed-wing aviation fleet, follows a recent expansion of the Mexican Air Force training fleet to include 12 T-6C+ aircraft.
Beechcraft Defense senior vice-president Russ Bartlett said: "SEMAR not only recognises the value of a proven, reliable airframe with the T-6C+ in standing up its new training capability, but this selection also acknowledges the significant benefits our Global Mission Support team offers in providing on-the-ground service, support and training for the fielded aircraft."
Beechcraft is scheduled to deliver the trainers to the Mexican Navy in the summer of 2014.
Currently, the company is under a second contract with SEMAR to provide parts support, training for pilots and mechanics, and the placement of field service representatives who will provide technical expertise and training for a period of two years.
An upgraded variant of the Hawker T-6 military trainer aircraft used by the US Air Force (USAF) and Navy, the T-6C+ is designed to carry external stores and deliver practice weapons for training purposes.
Equipped with hard-point wings, heads-up display, up-front control panel, an integrated glass cockpit and an advanced Esterline CMC cockpit 4000 avionics suite, the aircraft features a hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) providing simpler interface to the digital cockpit for the student pilot and instructor.
The T-6 aircraft is also used as a primary trainer for the air forces of Greece, Israel, Iraq, Morocco and the Nato Flying Training in Canada.
Image: The T-6C+ is an upgraded variant of the US Air Force’s Hawker T-6 military trainer aircraft. Photo: courtesy of USAF Master Sgt. David Richard.
