October 16, 2009: The American made T-6 trainer aircraft, now the standard trainer for the U.S. Air Force, received its first foreign sale for the T-6C version. Morocco is buying 24 of them. Canada and Greece have already ordered earlier models.
The T-6A was selected to replace the recently retired T-37B because this aircraft, based on the very popular Pilatus PC-9, already had an excellent reputation as a trainer aircraft. A single engine prop driven aircraft, the T-6A, reduces fuel costs (versus the jet powered T-37B) by over 60 percent. The three ton T-6As cost about $8 million each.
The T-6B is the standard trainer for the U.S. Navy, and contains a digital cockpit and a head-up display. This makes it easier to use this version as a light bomber. The T-6C is a T-6A modified so it could carry an external fuel tank. Morocco is replacing its T-34s and T-37s with the T-6C. Nearly 600 T-6s have been built or ordered since the aircraft entered service in 2000.
