Textron’s TRU Simulation segment has delivered a Beechcraft T-6C Texan II Operational Flight Trainer to the Tunisian Air Force.
The simulator includes a computer-based training laboratory with eight workstations, avionics desktop training solutions, and associated field services.
Corresponding proficiency programs using the technology will be facilitated at the Sfax Air Base near Chaffar Beach.
TRU said that the flight training system is the first device of its kind in the region.
It is expected to hone future Texan II operators’ instrument and procedural flight skills in multiple scenarios by providing realistic cockpit, hardware, dynamic seat, and disturbance queues.
The trainer also includes a visual system with a 70-degree vertical and 270-degree horizontal field view.
“As the first TRU-built Beechcraft T-6C OFT in the region, this marks a significant milestone in TRU Simulation’s commitment to advancing aviation training technology globally,” TRU Simulation VP and General Manager Jerry Messaris remarked.
“The dedication and expertise of our team have been crucial in achieving this milestone, and I am immensely proud of their hard work and commitment to excellence.”
“It is a privilege to commemorate the integration of the device into the Tunisian Air Force.”
Tunisia is in dire need of new trainer aircraft to replace its ageing fleet and allow it to continue training pilots to support counter-terrorism and border security missions.
In June 2021, it was announced that Textron Aviation Defense will provide long-lead items to support the aircraft. At the time, the US Department of Defense (DoD) awarded Textron USD12.5 million related to Tunisia’s T-6C Texan II programme.
The Foreign Military Sales (FMS) award provides for the procurement of long-lead production items and spares to support delivery of eight T-6Cs to the North African nation in 2022, as well as conducting an in-country site survey for basing.
This contract comes about 19 months after the US State Department approved the sale of up to 12 Texan II trainer aircraft to Tunisia for an estimated USD234 million. “The proposed sale will replace Tunisia’s ageing trainer fleet and allow Tunisia to continue training pilots to support Tunisia’s counter-terrorism and border security missions,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in October 2019.
In November 2020, the Government of Tunisia has requested a possible sale of twelve (12) T-6C Texan trainer aircraft, training, and spares from the United States at an estimated cost of $234 million.
By June 2020, a milestone was reached on June 30 when the U.S. Department of Defense announced the contract for Tunisian Air Force T-6C training aircraft for a total of $106 million.
In November 2022, Textron Aviation Defense announced the delivery of the first Beechcraft T-6C Texan II Integrated Training System to the Tunisian Air Force in support of operations at No. 13 Squadron at Sfax Air Base in Tunisia.
While in August 2023, the eighth and final Beechcraft T-6C Texan II turboprop trainer was delivered to the Tunisian Air Force’s No 13 Squadron at Sfax Airbase.
Around May, Tunisian pilots completed an intensive one-month training program on the T-6C Texan II aircraft. The training took place at the renowned Beechcraft factory in Wichita, Kansas, USA, from March through to April 2023.
Besides the T-6C trainer approval, the US government also approved four AT-6 Wolverine light attack versions of the aircraft for Tunisia in February 2020 .
Both the T-6C and AT-6 share an 85% commonality in structure, avionics, and other systems, and are expected to replace the Tunisian Air Force’s (Al‐Quwwat al‐Jawwiya al‐Jamahiriyah At’Tunisia) fleet of Aero L-39 Albatros and SIAI-Marchetti SF 260 Warrior aircraft that have been in service since 1995 and 1974 respectively.