Wed, Sep 16, 2009
Companies Joining Forces to Compete For USAF Light Attack and
Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation and
Lockheed Martin have teamed to compete for the opportunity to
provide a low-cost, low-risk solution to address the
USAF's need for a Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR)
aircraft. The USAF is expected to launch an acquisition program in
fiscal year 2010.
HBC, based in Wichita, KS, will be
prime contractor and Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego,
NY, will be the mission systems integrator for the Beechcraft AT-6
LAAR aircraft.
"This teaming agreement marks a big
step forward in working to meet the Air Force's emerging Irregular
Warfare needs," said Hawker Beechcraft Chairman and CEO Bill
Boisture. "By teaming with Lockheed Martin, we will deliver an AT-6
LAAR aircraft that meets the training and light attack capabilities
the Air Force needs in one flexible platform. The AT-6 is a
low-risk, low-cost solution that complements existing combat
aircraft capabilities and will contribute to the Air Force's
building partner capacity initiatives around the
world."
Hawker Beechcraft AT-6 Artist's
Concept
"The Hawker Beechcraft and Lockheed
Martin team bring together the best of both worlds: a proven
platform and a proven mission system integration capability," said
Marillyn Hewson, president of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration -
Owego. "Together, we have a strong offering that will deliver a
needed light attack capability requested by the warfighter."
The AT-6 covers a wide mission spectrum that includes training,
manned Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and light
precision attack, while also offering non-traditional capabilities
for Homeland Defense and Civil Support missions. The AT-6 has
tremendous commonality between the USAF T-6A and the U.S. Navy
(USN) T 6B, and Lockheed Martin-developed missions systems avionics
commonality with the combat-tested A 10C.
Hawker Beechcraft AT-6 Artist's
Concept
Last week, production began on a second
AT-6 prototype, designed to both improve performance and expand
mission capabilities over the first AT-6 prototype, which is
currently in flight testing through spring 2010.
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