WICHITA, Kan. (Jan. 4, 2006) – Raytheon Aircraft Company has been awarded a $268 million contract by the U.S. government for 54 T-6A aircraft. This is the 13th straight option year exercised, out of a potential total of 19 for the entire Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) program. This current option exercise extends deliveries into 2009.

“Raytheon Aircraft Company is proud of the success of the T-6A,” said Jim Smith, vice president of Government Business at Raytheon Aircraft Company. “JPATS has matured into the best flying training system in the world and we are pleased to continue our strong support of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy training requirements.”

The JPATS program, which is the primary pilot training program for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, calls for nearly 800 aircraft through the year 2017. To date, the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy have ordered 418 aircraft, and 283 have been delivered — 234 to the U.S Air Force and 49 to the U.S. Navy. Currently the JPATS program is 38 aircraft ahead of schedule on deliveries. The total value of the acquisition program to date, including options, is $2.351 billion.

The U.S. Air Force began training pilots in the T-6A at Moody Air Force Base (Ga.) in October 2001. The U.S. Navy is conducting Undergraduate Military Flight Officer training at NAS Pensacola, Fla. In addition, the NATO Flying Training in Canada program purchased 26 T-6As and has been training pilots with the T-6A since 2000. The Hellenic Air Force of Greece ordered 45 aircraft, all of which have been delivered.

Raytheon Aircraft designs, manufactures, markets and supports Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft for the world’s commercial and military markets.

Source: Raytheon Aircraft Company
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