The first two Beechcraft T-6C Texan II trainers for the Royal Air Force (RAF) have arrived at RAF Valley today.
The aircraft will be used to train future fast-jet pilots under the UK Military Flying Training System (Military Flying Training System) and are supplied and maintained by Affinity Flying Training Services.
The UKMFTS is a private finance initiative (PFI) managed by Ascent Flight Training, a consortium of Lockheed Martin and Babcock International. It is designed to take UK aircrew from initial training through, elementary, basic and advanced flying training in order to prepare them for their arrival at their designated operational aircraft units.
Built by the Raytheon Aircraft Company, the T-6C Texan II is capable of cruising at 320mph up to 31,000ft. Its use at RAF Valley will be to prepare fast jet trainee pilot’s for progression onto the BAe Hawk jet.
A total of 10 of the type will be operated in the UK.