Hawker Beechcraft ha mostrado una versión mas potente de su turbohélice AT-6, con vistas a la competición de la Fuerza Aérea para su futuro avión de ataque ligero y reconocimiento armado(LAAR) .
El AT-6 está equipado con un motor Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68D que incrementa 1600 caballos su potencia y aviónica modernizada para misiones de apoyo cercano. El AT-6 puede portar misiles, bombas, misiles, sensores para obtención de información, identificador de blancos y equipos para armas guiado de armamento. Sin embargo Hawker Beechcraft ha declarado que a pesar de las mejoras, el nuevo avión coincide en un 95% con su entrenador T-6B en servicio con la USAF y la US Navy.
Los competidores potenciales del AT-6 para el concurso LAAR, son el Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano, que ya es operado por la US Navy para operaciones especiales, el Boeing OV-10X Bronco, una versión mejorada del avión "era Vietnam", y Alenia Aeronautica que desea ofrecer una versión armada del M-346 Master de entrenamiento avanzado.
El LAAR pretende cubrir la carencia en el inventario de la USAF de un avión optimizado para operaciones de combate no convencionales, como las realizadas en Afganistán.
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Hawker Beechcraft has demonstrated a more powerful version of its AT-6 turboprop, ahead of a US Air Force competition for a light attack and armed reconnaissance (LAAR) aircraft.
The second AT-6 production-representative test vehicle flew on 5 February and is equipped with a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68D engine, increasing thrust to 1,600shp (1,190kW) from 1,100shp. The same aircraft also received a mission avionics upgrade based on the Fairchild A-10 close air support aircraft. The AT-6 can carry a variety of missiles, guns and bombs, plus sensors to gather information, identify targets and guide the weapons. Hawker Beechcraft claims the second test vehicle also includes structural improvements, but remains 95% common with the baseline T-6B trainer in service with the USAF and US Navy.
The AT-6 is among several potential bidders for the LAAR contract, a competition for which is expected to start next year. Embraer is preparing to offer its EMB-314 Super Tucano, which is operated by USN special operations.
Boeing has released a concept drawing of the OV-10X Bronco, an updated version of a Vietnam-era combat aircraft, while Alenia Aeronautica wants to offer an armed version of the M-346 Master advanced jet trainer.
The LAAR aircraft is expected to fill a potential niche in the USAF inventory for aircraft optimised for irregular warfare campaigns.
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