Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine

History of the Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine

The light attack aircraft category continues to be a growing market globally as more advanced platforms become increasingly out of reach for emerging air forces. Beechcraft Corporation was founded by Walter Beech in 1932, is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, and successfully launched the T-6 "Texan II" in 2001. Following this sale, the system was introduced to the U.S. Air Force (T-6A) and Navy (T-6B) branches.

Additionally, the Canadian, Greek, Moroccan and Israeli Air Forces have added their numbers to production, and more than 630 units have since been produced. The Texan II was born in 1984 from the Pilatus PC-9 series, 250 of which were produced and sold worldwide.

Joining today's T-6 family is the AT-6, a turboprop powered light strike/training platform designed to meet the Air Force's growing need for a reliable and proven multi-role using jet powered mounts The solution is too expensive or inappropriate for some theaters to overdo it. As such, the AT-6 is marketed as a cheap alternative to more expensive, technologically advanced attack aircraft, while also covering a wide range of approaches, including close air support (CAS), forward air control (FAC), armed reconnaissance and other military directed missions.

The AT-6 was designed so that its two-seat configuration also accommodates the transition from pilots to more advanced jet-powered mounts, while still covering basic aviation and weapons transport training with a more compact, less expensive end product. The AT-6 shares about 85 percent of its components with the original T-6 II platform, making it logistically more convenient for existing T-6 II enthusiasts.

The AT-6 features two crew members sitting side by side under a large, largely unobstructed canopy in the design center. The engine a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68D turboprop rated at 1,600 hp is mounted at the very forward end of the slender fuselage and drives a four-bladed propeller assembly. The down-sloping nose configuration provides excellent cockpit visibility, and the wings are set low on the fuselage. Each straight attachment is located in the middle of the fuselage and can carry a variable set of attachments - mainly gun cases (heavy 12.7mm machine gun), gun cases (20mm automatic), rocket cases (unguided and laser guided) and small Conventional bomb/laser-guided drop bomb (250lb/500lb) via its six (MIL-STD-1760) external hardpoints (four dedicated to external fuel storage, for a total of seven hardpoints available).

Unlike some other light attack aircraft designs, the AT-6 supports laser-guided missiles. The tail is relatively short, with a truncated vertical tail and low horizontal plane. The chassis is three-wheeled and fully retractable. The compact aircraft has a range of 2,895 km (1,563 nautical miles).

Complete AT-6 weapon kit includes support for many US and NATO standard ammunition: Mk 81 Universal Bomb, Mk 82 Universal Bomb, GBU-12 Paveway II, GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II", GBU-58" "Paveway II", GBU-59 "Enhanced Paveway II" bomb. Missile support is limited to the AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missile. As one of the few aircraft currently supporting laser-guided missiles, the AT-6 has mastery APKWS, TALON and GATR series 2.75" rockets.

Training rounds can be used for weapon training.

Internally, the cockpit features three large multi-function displays (MFDs) that can be customized to the needs of the pilot/co-pilot via the CMC glass cockpit and flight management system. A moving map display is included as standard, includes a fighter-style HUD (head-up display), and the cockpit is compatible with available night vision goggles. The mission systems suite, provided by defense company Lockheed Martin, is based on an architecture developed for the A-10C (updated A-10 Thunderbolt II with Precision Engagement Package).

The pilot's helmet is integrated with the Scorpion helmet-mounted cueing system to mark targets. Flight controls are an F-16 style HOTAS (Hands-On-Throttle-And-Stick) arrangement. Communications include satellite communications and protected voice and data connections.

The cockpit provides full GPS navigation, GPS precision approach and digital terrain elevation data. The base defense system includes a countermeasure package and a missile warning indicator (IR).

The cockpit, fuel depot and engine bay are protected by light armour, while each crew member is given a Martin Baker MKUS16LA 0/0 series ejection seat for worst-case scenarios.

Beechcraft sells AT-6 for training (pilot and attack, joint exercises), irregular warfare (CAS, FAC, AR, strike coordination, armed interception, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)), homeland defense (patrol, low altitude/low speed interception, border security) and civil efforts (search and rescue (SAR), disaster monitoring). In addition to the offensive loadout, the AT-6 can be equipped with targeting and surveillance equipment to expand its tactical value.

The system includes an L-3 Wescam MX-15Di sensor (for ISR work), a full-color daytime driving camera system, laser lighting and a laser rangefinder.

Beechcraft has a long history in aviation, including its 80+ year military commitment. To date, the group has produced more than 14,500 aircraft, including 7,400 during World War II (1939-1945). Its decades of experience have undoubtedly shaped the refined AT-6.

Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine Specs

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes