Light Attack AT-6 Successfully Deploys Precision-Guided Munitions

Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company (HBDC) today announced the completion of a series of successful deliveries of precision-guided munitions from the AT-6 Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR) aircraft.

During weapons tests at the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Southern Ariz., HBDC pilots in the AT-6 dropped four USAF GBU-12 500 lb Paveway II laser guided bombs and four of Raytheon’s GBU-58 250 lb Paveway II laser guided bombs.  All eight weapons scored hits on their intended targets. The weapons delivery events, which were conducted between Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, were part of an ongoing operational assessment by the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Test Center (AATC).

“The weapons deployment was a huge success thanks to the teamwork of Hawker Beechcraft, Lockheed Martin, CMC Electronics, L-3 WESCAM, Raytheon Missile Systems and, of course, the Air National Guard,” said Jim Maslowski, president, Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company. “This testing is another major step in the evolution of the AT-6 and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results. The 100 percent precision weapon hit rate was no surprise to anyone who has watched the AT-6 team in action. The aircraft continues to perform as well or better than we anticipated and is ready for production.”

During the two week deployment, the AT-6 typically flew three sorties per day employing approximately 60 BDU-33, BDU-50, GBU-12, and GBU-58 general purpose and precision munitions. The AT-6 also successfully performed .50 caliber machine gun air-to-air gunnery using its integrated lead computing gun sight against a towed target. Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Sensors integrated the mission capabilities into the AT-6 using only minor modifications to the combat proven A-10C mission system.  The AT-6 leverages prior DoD investment by integrating proven capabilities from the T-6A/B/C, A-10C and MC-12W to achieve efficiencies in mission capability, training and logistics that no other competitor can match.

Building on its successes as a supplier to militaries around the globe, HBDC has developed the AT-6 Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance aircraft to be purpose-built to provide advanced training, light attack and armed reconnaissance capabilities required to meet the Department of Defense’s Building Partnership Capacity needs. The AT-6 is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment such as the powerful Pratt and Whitney Canada PTA-68D turboprop engine, CMC Esterline’s mission-modified Cockpit 4000, Lockheed Martin’s A-10C-based mission system and L-3 WESCAM’s MX-15Di day/night-capable sensor pod. The aircraft is also equipped with an ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare  Management System, advanced ARC-210 radios with secure voice/data and SATCOM capabilities, a variety of air and ground datalinks and the weapons capability required to excel in meeting irregular warfare mission requirements.

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission, light attack and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers


Source: TUCSON, 11 October 2011 - Hawker Beechcraft Corporation News (http://newsroom.hawkerbeechcraft.com)

Photo: U.S. Air Force AT-6 Weapons Launch (photo by hawkerbeechcraft.com)

(11.11.2011)