By Renee Hatcher
NAVAIR Public Affairs

The Navy took delivery in September of its newest aviator training asset that will take naval flight officer training to the next level.

Following the Navy’s acceptance of two T-6A Texans into its inventory, Raytheon executives presented a model of the trainer to NAVAIR officials on Monday. In the same ceremony, Boeing representatives also presented a model of the T-45, which just achieved its 153rd delivery. Both will be on display in the atrium of the Moffett Building (2272) until Oct. 18.

“The most important thing we do at NAVAIR is to deliver products to the fleet,” said Tom Laux, program executive officer for Air, ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs. “These T-45 and T-6A models provide a visual reminder of the products that our team delivers. This ceremony honors the commitment and recognizes the contributions of PMA-273 (NAVAIR’s Undergraduate Flight Training System Program Office) and our industry team to deliver quality products to the warfighter.”

The two T-6 Texans will be flown in November to Naval Air Station Pensacola, the first stop for every naval aviator, where they will be assigned and used for naval flight officer training.

“These aircraft are going to eventually touch every naval aviator,” said Cdr. Henry Jackson, the T-6A integrated product team leader in PMA-273. “Adding the Texan to the Navy’s inventory represents our promise to the warfighter to provide the highest standard in warfare technology.”

The T-6 is a joint aircraft, used both by the Air Force and the Navy as part of a training system in coordination with simulator technology, known as the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System. One of the greatest advantages of the Texan is that it comes equipped with a digital cockpit. Currently, student aviators conduct their initial flight training in aircraft equipped with an analog cockpit and must then make the transition to a digital cockpit in their fleet aircraft. Now with the T-6A, students will begin their training with the technology they will actually fly in their fleet combat aircraft.

“Having that digital capability from the start is one of the greatest benefits of the T-6,” Jackson said. “The T-6 is a high performance aircraft providing the full-spectrum of training that will improve the efficiency of training our aviators.”

The T-45C already has a digital cockpit and has been training strike aviators for the last 10 years. The pairing of T-6 and T-45 will present a true continuity of training to the latest digital fleet cockpits, as well as the planned cockpits of the future, such as the Joint Strike Fighter.

To date, the Navy has purchased 43 T-6s. The plan is to accept two or three more aircraft per month for the next two years. Ultimately, the goal is to buy 328 T-6s.

Photo by Renee Hatcher
Aircraft acceptance: Representatives from Raytheon and Boeing presented models of the new T-6A Texan and the T-45 Goshawk to NAVAIR officials on Monday. Both models will be on display in the atrium of the Moffett Building until Oct. 18. Pictured from left are: Capt. David Wooten, PMA-273; Pat Finneran, Boeing; Bob Feldmann, Boeing; Tom Laux, PEO (A); Rear Adm. Joe Dyer, NAVAIR commander; Pat Farley, Raytheon; and Rick Gildea, Raytheon.