Iraqi Air Force T-6A Texan IIs were used at Tikrit Air Base during Operation New Dawn-era pilot and instructor training, with U.S. Air Force personnel advising and preparing Iraqi training operations; no armed T-6 strike use was found.
Aircraft & UAVs
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II
Also known as
- T-6 Texan II
- T-6A Texan II
- T-6B Texan II
- T-6C Texan II
- T-6C+ Texan II
- T-6D Texan II
- Beechcraft T-6C
- T-6TH Texan II
- T-6JP Texan II
- Texan T1
- Texan T Mk1
- CT-156 Harvard II
The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is Textron Aviation Defense's turboprop military trainer family for joint primary, naval, export, and mission-oriented pilot instruction. Developed from the Beech/Pilatus PC-9 Mk II for the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System, the family spans U.S. T-6A, T-6B, and T-6D service aircraft, export T-6C trainers, country designations such as Thailand's T-6TH and the RAF's Texan T1, and the related AT-6 Wolverine light-attack derivative.
Role in Conflicts
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- United States
- Built by
- Textron Aviation Defense
- Type
- Military turboprop trainer aircraft
- Service note
- 2001-present
- Designer
- Textron Aviation Defense
- Produced
- 2001-present
- Number built
- 1,000th T-6 delivered in October 2022; Textron reported more than 1,000 T-6 aircraft and more than 5 million fleet hours by 2025-2026
- Developed from
- Beech/Pilatus PC-9 Mk II
- Developed into
- AT-6 Wolverine
Specifications
- Length
- 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)
- Height
- 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)
- Wingspan
- 33 ft 5 in (10.2 m)
- Engine
- 1,100 shp (820 kW) turboprop
- Maximum takeoff weight
- 8,300 lb (3,765 kg)
- Basic weight
- 5,150 lb (2,336 kg)
- Internal fuel
- 1,200 lb (544 kg)
- Hardpoints
- 6 total hardpoints
- Weapons stations
- 6 NATO-standard weapons stations
- Maximum speed
- 316 kt (0.67 Mach)
- Service ceiling
- 31,000 ft
- Crew
- Two seats, normally student and instructor
- Armament
- None for the T-6A primary trainer; T-6C-family hardpoints support missionized training configurations
- Maximum ferry range
- 884 nm (1,637 km) without external fuel tanks; 1,382 nm (2,559 km) with two external fuel tanks
- Flight deck
- Three interchangeable color active-matrix LCD multifunction displays, head-up display capability, integrated navigation, engine-indicating and crew-alerting systems, and programmable mission functions
Training System And Operators
The Texan II is primarily a military training aircraft. The catalog's conflict row is therefore limited to documented in-theater Iraqi pilot and instructor training during the 2003 Iraq War period, not armed strike employment by the T-6 family. The wider sourced operator picture is still useful: Textron reports T-6 service across NATO flight schools and international air arms, while official operator pages describe the aircraft as a platform for pilot and instructor training.
U.S. JPATS role
U.S. Air Force and NAVAIR sources place the T-6A inside the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System with simulators, computer-aided academics, and training-management infrastructure.
Export T-6C role
Textron identifies the T-6C as the export military flight trainer, with country fleets including Colombia, Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand, and the RAF's Texan T1 service.
Derivative link
The AT-6 Wolverine is cataloged separately because it adds light-attack and armed reconnaissance systems; Textron describes it as capitalizing on T-6 heritage and parts commonality.
Variants
Textron groups the Texan II integrated training-system family around U.S. JPATS aircraft, export T-6C trainers, an export armed T-6C+ configuration, and the U.S. Army T-6D; several operators apply local designations to the T-6C airframe.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| T-6A Texan II | Joint primary pilot trainer | U.S. Air Force and NAVAIR material describe the T-6A as the JPATS trainer derived from the Beech/Pilatus PC-9 Mk II, with Air Force training beginning in 2000-2001 and Navy IOC in 2003. Sources: T-6A Texan II | U.S. Air Force, T-6A Texan II | NAVAIR |
| T-6B Texan II | U.S. Navy JPATS variant | Textron identifies the T-6B alongside the T-6A as one of the leading JPATS aircraft, operated by the U.S. Navy. Sources: Textron Aviation Defense delivers 1,000th Beechcraft T-6 Texan II |
| T-6C Texan II | Export military flight trainer | Textron calls the T-6C the exportable military flight trainer; New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Colombia, and other operators use T-6C-family aircraft for pilot training. Sources: Textron Aviation Defense delivers 1,000th Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, T-6C Texan II - New Zealand Defence Force, History-making Beechcraft T-6C Texan II sale supports the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership |
| T-6C+ Texan II | Export armed configuration | Textron's 1,000th-delivery release identifies the T-6C+ as an exportable armed variant of the T-6C. Sources: Textron Aviation Defense delivers 1,000th Beechcraft T-6 Texan II |
| T-6D Texan II | U.S. Army operated variant | Textron identifies the T-6D as the U.S. Army-operated member of the T-6 family, and its 2026 sustainment announcement covers T-6A, T-6B, and T-6D aircraft. Sources: Textron Aviation Defense delivers 1,000th Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, Textron Aviation Defense Awarded Five-Year Sustaining Engineering and Program Management Contract for Beechcraft T-6 Texan II Fleet |
| T-6TH Texan II | Royal Thai Air Force T-6C designation | Textron says Thailand's 12-aircraft T-6C procurement is christened T-6TH in Thai service and is assigned to the Royal Thai Air Force Flying Training School at Kamphaeng Saen. Sources: Royal Thai Air Force equips pilot cadre with advanced training program |
| T-6JP Texan II | Japan Air Self-Defense Force training-system variant | Textron says the first T-6JP contract covers two aircraft for Japan, scheduled for 2029 delivery as part of the JASDF training-system modernization program. |
| Texan T1 | Royal Air Force T-6C designation | The RAF identifies the Beechcraft Texan T-6C as Texan T Mk1 in RAF service and says 72 Squadron operates 14 Texan T1 aircraft for RAF and Royal Navy pilot training. Sources: Texan T1 | Royal Air Force |
Developed Light-Attack Derivative
Textron describes the AT-6 Wolverine as a light-attack aircraft that capitalizes on the proven heritage of the T-6 Texan II and shares substantial parts commonality with it.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Light attack and armed reconnaissance derivative | Textron states that the AT-6 Wolverine capitalizes on the T-6 Texan II heritage and has 85 percent parts commonality with the trainer family. |
Timeline
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II Key Events
JPATS acquisition and support contracts awarded
The U.S. Air Force fact sheet states that Raytheon received the JPATS acquisition and support contracts on February 5, 1996, after the T-6A had been selected for the joint trainer requirement.
Sources: T-6A Texan II | U.S. Air Force
T-6A development flight test begins
NAVAIR says the T-6A entered development flight testing in July 1998, with FAA type and production certification following on July 30, 1999.
Sources: T-6A Texan II | NAVAIR
T-6 fleet enters long-running service baseline
Textron Aviation Defense describes the T-6 Texan II as an integrated training system operating across NATO flight schools and international fleets since 2001.
Sources: Royal Thai Air Force awards contract for fleet of Beechcraft AT-6 aircraft
RAF Texan T1 students graduate
The Royal Air Force says the first student pilots graduated on the Texan T Mk1 in 2020 from RAF Valley-based training.
Sources: Texan T1 | Royal Air Force
T-6TH identified as Thailand's first S-Curve 11 procurement
Textron's AT-6TH contract announcement said Thailand's earlier Beechcraft T-6TH Texan II procurement was the first Royal Thai Air Force procurement contracted under the S-Curve 11 strategy.
Sources: Royal Thai Air Force awards contract for fleet of Beechcraft AT-6 aircraft
1,000th T-6 delivered
Textron Aviation Defense announced delivery of the 1,000th Beechcraft T-6 Texan II and said the global T-6 fleet had surpassed five million flight hours.
Sources: Textron Aviation Defense delivers 1,000th Beechcraft T-6 Texan II
First Vietnam T-6C aircraft arrive
Textron announced that five T-6C aircraft had arrived at Phan Thiet Airbase for the Vietnam Air Defense Air Force under the first U.S.-Vietnam T-6C Foreign Military Sales program.
Sources: History-making Beechcraft T-6C Texan II sale supports the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Japan T-6JP contract finalized
Textron announced its first contract to deliver the Beechcraft T-6JP integrated training system to Japan, covering two aircraft scheduled for 2029 delivery.
Sources: Textron Aviation Defense secures first contract to deliver Beechcraft T-6 Texan II integrated training system to Japan
U.S. T-6 sustainment contract awarded
Textron announced a five-year U.S. government contract for sustaining engineering and program management services covering U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Army T-6A, T-6B, and T-6D aircraft.
Sources: Textron Aviation Defense Awarded Five-Year Sustaining Engineering and Program Management Contract for Beechcraft T-6 Texan II Fleet
Media
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II Videos
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
Iraqi Air Force College to train with T-6APublisher: DVIDS / United States Air Forces Central | Note: Supports direct 2003 Iraq War context by documenting T-6A aircraft at Tikrit, Iraq, and U.S. Air Force personnel preparing Iraqi Air Force T-6 pilot and instructor training during the conflict period. | Accessed: 2026-07-13U.S., Iraqi air force officials discuss T-6's future in IraqPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports direct 2003 Iraq War context by documenting T-6 program review activity in Iraq and an Iraqi instructor pilot flying an official T-6 training mission with an Iraqi student from Tikrit Air Base in 2011. | Accessed: 2026-07-13US Airmen train future Iraqi air force pilotsPublisher: DVIDS / 316th Wing | Note: Supports direct 2003 Iraq War context by identifying Iraqi Air Force T-6 Texan IIs at Tikrit Air Base and U.S. instructors training Iraqi instructor pilots on the T-6A during Operation New Dawn. | Accessed: 2026-07-13T-6A Texan II | U.S. Air ForcePublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports T-6A mission, JPATS background, Beech/Pilatus PC-9 Mk II derivation, deployment dates, basic specifications, and unarmed primary-trainer context. | Accessed: 2026-07-13T-6A Texan II | NAVAIRPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports Navy and Marine Corps training role, JPATS system components, PC-9 derivation, flight-test and certification dates, and T-6A IOC context. | Accessed: 2026-07-13T-6C Texan II | Textron Aviation DefensePublisher: Textron Aviation Defense | Note: Supports T-6C trainer role, cockpit and training-system description, dimensions, hardpoint count, performance data, and manufacturer. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Textron Aviation Defense delivers 1,000th Beechcraft T-6 Texan IIPublisher: Textron Aviation Media Center | Note: Supports the 1,000th T-6 delivery, five-million-flight-hour milestone, Wichita manufacture, five-variant family description, operator list, and T-6/AT-6 parts-commonality context. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Texan T1 | Royal Air ForcePublisher: Royal Air Force | Note: Supports RAF Texan T Mk1 designation, RAF Valley and 72 Squadron training role, 2020 first student graduation context, specifications, and development history summary. | Accessed: 2026-07-13T-6C Texan II - New Zealand Defence ForcePublisher: New Zealand Defence Force | Note: Supports Royal New Zealand Air Force T-6C training role, 11-aircraft fleet, simulator context, safety equipment, service-life expectation, and published specifications. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Royal Thai Air Force equips pilot cadre with advanced training programPublisher: Textron Aviation Media Center | Note: Supports Thailand's 12-aircraft T-6C/T-6TH procurement, Kamphaeng Saen training-school assignment, ground-based training system, and S-Curve 11 modernization context. | Accessed: 2026-07-13History-making Beechcraft T-6C Texan II sale supports the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic PartnershipPublisher: Textron Aviation Media Center | Note: Supports Vietnam Air Defense Air Force T-6C delivery, Phan Thiet Airbase context, 12-aircraft FMS program, and Vietnam as the 14th T-6 nation. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Textron Aviation Defense secures first contract to deliver Beechcraft T-6 Texan II integrated training system to JapanPublisher: Textron Aviation Media Center | Note: Supports the T-6JP designation, Japan Air Self-Defense Force contract context, two-aircraft first contract, and planned 2029 delivery schedule. | Accessed: 2026-07-13File:Beechcraft-t-6-texan-ii.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports rights-clear image provenance for the T-6 Texan II image, credited on Commons to a released U.S. Air Force photo. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Textron Aviation Defense Awarded Five-Year Sustaining Engineering and Program Management Contract for Beechcraft T-6 Texan II FleetPublisher: Textron Inc. | Note: Supports T-6 sustainment-contract context, U.S. service variants, corporate relationship, and more-than-1,000-aircraft and more-than-5-million-hour fleet context. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Royal Thai Air Force awards contract for fleet of Beechcraft AT-6 aircraftPublisher: Textron Aviation | Note: Supports T-6/AT-6 fleet-hour context, Thailand T-6TH procurement context, T-6 training role, and the T-6 relationship to the AT-6 Wolverine. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Textron Aviation Defense announces $70.2M U.S. Air Force contract award for two Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine aircraft, training and support servicesPublisher: Textron Inc. | Note: Supports the AT-6 derivative relationship, parts commonality with the T-6 Texan II, and the catalog pairing to AT-6 Wolverine. | Accessed: 2026-07-13