AT-6B, USA

AT-6B, USALight Attack Aircraft / Trainer

IntroductionThe AT-6 design allows for advanced training with weapons delivery capabilities and the ability to conduct actual operational missions with the same platform.

Through the addition of open architecture avionics, state-of-the-art sensors, data links, cockpit and aircraft protection components and various weapons capabilities to the proven training platform, the Beechcraft AT-6B provides multi mission capability on a low-cost platform.

The multirole, multi mission system is designed for net-centric intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and light precision attack missions.

HBC showcased the AT-6 at the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough International Airshow in the UK in 2010.

DesignThe aircraft uses a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turboprop engine which provides a flat rated 1,100hp (820kW).

The AT-6 is fitted with cockpit and engine armour for increased aircraft protection.

An infra-red countermeasures suite can include the AN/AAR-47 missile approach warning system and ALE-47 countermeasures dispenser system.

In addition to UHF / VHF / UHF and SATCOM, communication systems can include, enhanced position location and reporting system (EPLARS), joint tactical information distribution system (JTIDS) and situation awareness data link (SADL).

AvionicsThe AT-6B fully integrated avionics system uses two powerful mission computers to control weapons deliveries and other mission related functions.

Integrated navigation and mission data is displayed on the large, 25 total field of view (TFOV) head-up display (HUD) and on three high-fidelity 5in7in multifunction displays (MFDs).

The primary flight display (PFD) provides the controls and displays required to manage and present primary flight information to the pilots including attitude, airspeed, altitude and flight path direction.

The tactical situation display (TSD) enhances situational awareness by presenting a scalable plan view of the key elements required for terminal, en route, area and tactical navigation.

WeaponsThe AT-6B is equipped with a sensor suite that can include a variety of electro-optical, infra-red, laser and hyper-spectral sensors, for example the Wescam MX-15Di.

There are six wing-mounted hard points for stores.

AT-6 can be armed with a variety of weapons including 0.50 caliber machine gun pods, air-to-ground missiles like Hellfire and Maverick, AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, munitions including Pave way II / enhanced Pave way II / Pave way IV guided bombs, joint direct attack munition (JDAM), small diameter bombs (SDB) and 2.75in rocket pods.

Griffin is an air and ground launched precision guided missile which enables the AT-6 to lock targets through a simple graphic user interface.

CockpitThe Beechcraft AT-6 is integrated with CMC Electronics' glass Cockpit 4000 avionics suite and has the same cockpit design as that of the T-6B.

The open, flexible and redundant architecture offers an integrated approach for cockpit and weapon system management.

The avionics suite includes primary flight, engine and navigation displays, flight management systems, global positioning systems, head-up displays, navigation and mission processors, multifunction displays and control panels.

There are tandem HOTAS (hands on throttle and stick) controls fore and aft for pilot and instructor.

Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft_T-6_Texan_II

http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/at-6b-light-attack/

https://www.beechcraft.com/military/light_attack.aspx

http://www.lockheedmartin.co.in/us/mst/features/110217-at-6-takes-light-attack-back-to-the-future-.html

http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/light-attack-aircraft-the-super-tucano-the-at-6-and-the-blue-kool-aid/

Thank You