AT-6B testing to continue

[Ned Harris]

For Pennies on the Dollar: Test pilots and engineers at the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center in Tucson, Ariz., are evaluating the Hawker Beechcraft AT-6C two-seat turboprop as one possible candidate for the light attack aircraft that the Air Force is considering procuring. "We learned a lot from initial testing earlier this year and made several adjustments," said Lt. Col. Keith Colmer, AATC's director of engineering. He added, "Future iterations of tests will integrate Hellfire missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinders, and various other weapons." Cost effectiveness is a big factor in the deliberations since a light-attack platform could potentially serve in scenarios where a fighter's full capabilities aren't needed, and at a fraction of the cost. Indeed, the per-flying-hour costs of an A-10 and F-16 are pegged at $15,000 to $17,000, while the AT-6 has cost about $600 per hour to operate. (Davis-Monthan report by Maj. Gabe Johnson)

[Joe Copalman]

Very cool.  I'd imagine any live-ordnance flights would still fly out of D-M, but if they're doing captive-carry flights with inert stuff, might make for some good opportunities at TIA.  

[cpasley]

Those prices are pretty mind blowing ,but of course the AT-6 will never do what the '10' and '16' do nor do I think was intended for that but at those costs perhaps the AT-6 will be fairly succsessful and popular with everyone ,from those on the front line to the bean counters ,but as usuall I have a question ,does all this mean that the AT-6 has won the Air Forces "light attack" competition ,what happend to the Super Tucano the new OV-10 or heaven forbid the AT-802U (were not going to dust the enemy ,lol)

[jslugman]

You can read the whole article here:

http://www.162fw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123226251

Written by our (new) friend Gabe.