Wed, Jul 21, 2010
New LAAR Prototype Makes Public Debut At Farnborough
The new Beechcraft AT-6 Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance
(LAAR) production ready test vehicle earned perfect marks during
its recent participation in the United States Air Force's Joint
Expeditionary Force Experiment (JEFX). During the two-week exercise
from April 12-23 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, the AT-6
demonstrated its capabilities in a wide variety of irregular
warfare operational scenarios. The AT-6 is making its first public
appearance this week at HBC's static display at the Royal
International Air Tattoo and Farnborough International Airshow in
the United Kingdom.
HBC AT-6 LAAR
"With its full mission system
installed, the AT-6 aircraft met 100 percent of the mission sensor
and communications objectives set by the USAF for the JEFX 2010
event," said Jim Maslowski, HBC president, U.S. and International
Government Business. "Both the AT-6 and a T-6C took part in the
exercise, flying a total of 24 sorties to demonstrate their
capabilities and readiness. They achieved 100 percent fully mission
capable rates and completed the entire program with zero
maintenance actions. The AT-6's performance was termed 'remarkable'
and graded 'GREEN' on all of its objectives in the Direct Action
Fire Support, to include highly sophisticated digital CAS missions,
FAC-A roles, and in Building Partnership Capacity scenarios."
The objectives of JEFX were to take identified gaps in current
combat capabilities and demonstrate and assess possible innovations
to fill those gaps. The involvement of the AT-6 in the exercise was
sponsored by the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve
Command Test Center.
The AT-6 displayed its versatility in a variety of flight regimes
by demonstrating the following:
- High resolution sensor and targeting capabilities that enable
precision geolocation and precision engagement capabilities
tailored for LAAR aircraft.
- Compatibility and interoperability with fielded combat
capabilities that include currently fielded Joint Terminal Attack
Controller ground and tactical aircraft airborne systems.
- Digitally-aided Close Air Support irregular warfare operations
in a live-fly combat-representation scenario.
- Austere takeoff and landing operations and compatibility with a
Special Operations MC-130 Talon II, including dry hookup refueling
and rearming operations.
- Long-duration sorties in a combat-representative environment,
completing three hour minimum on-station assignments while
providing necessary top cover for ground forces.
- High reliability and low operating costs by requiring zero
non-recurring maintenance and using only 15,640 pounds of fuel for
both aircraft for the entire two-week period as compared to an
F-16's fuel use of 16,500 pounds and an A-10's use of 9,000 pounds
of fuel for each 3-hour on-station assignment.
The AT-6 draws its heritage from HBC's
T-6 A/B Texan trainer aircraft. Designed to provide close air
support and meet the demands of the irregular warfare environment,
the AT-6 is outfitted with a more powerful engine, a variety of
self-protection mechanisms, multiple secure communications
functions and advanced intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance
capabilities.
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