Textron Aviation had delivered the first two of up to 64 Multi-Engine Training System (METS) Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft contracted by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).
The aircraft, which will be known as the T-54A, replaces the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) fleet of T-44C Pegasus aircraft at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.
A variant of the twin-engine and pressurised Beechcraft King Air 260, the T-54A will modernise the fleet and be more representative of follow-on fleet aircraft. The T-44 has been in service for more than 40 years.
The T-54A includes an updated avionics suite and automation qualities to better prepare students for the advanced aircraft they will fly in the fleet.
“The T-54A benefits from an active Beechcraft King Air assembly line in Wichita, Kansas, where all required METS avionics and interior modifications are installed on the line; keeping costs down, aircraft conformity consistent across the fleet and optimising the delivery schedule to the Navy,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Missions Sales, Textron Aviation.
“We are thrilled to continue our 47-year relationship of Textron Aviation aircraft conducting multi-engine flight training for Navy, Marine and Coast Guard Aviators.”
METS-specific capabilities include factory options for TACAN (Air-to-Air), angle-of-attack (AOA), V/UHF radio, digital audio system, engine trend monitoring, condition-based maintenance plus, observer/jump seat, passenger mission seats and full-face oxygen masks.
Earlier this month, TRU Simulation + Training Inc., an affiliate of Textron Aviation, announced the company was awarded the METS Ground Based Training System (GBTS) contract providing the US Navy with a fully integrated training system of aircraft and training devices.
The contract base award is for three Unit Training Device (UTD) simulators in a King Air 260 standard configuration, one Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) simulator in the METS T-54A configuration, one Simulator Support Station (SSS) in the METS T-54A configuration and 21 Desktop Trainers for avionics training.
More than 7,700 Beechcraft King Air turboprops have been delivered to customers around the world since 1964, making it the best-selling business turboprop family in the world.
The worldwide fleet has surpassed 62 million flight hours in its 60 years, serving roles in all branches of the US military and flying both commercial and special missions roles around the world.
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