Textron Aviation has been awarded a Multi-Engine Training System (METS) contract by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) through a full and open competition.
The contract award is for up to 64 King Air 260 aircraft, which will be known as the T-54A. The initial Lot I award will procure ten new Beechcraft King Air 260 commercial aircraft and associated support. Lot II and Lot III, if the options are exercised, would each procure up to 27 aircraft. Aircraft deliveries are planned from 2024 to 2026.
The Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft acquired under the METS contract will replace the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) fleet of T-44C Pegasus aircraft. The T-44C Pegasus aircraft is a variant of the twin-engine and pressurised Beechcraft King Air 90. The T-44 has been in service since 1977.
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.
The King Air 260 METS aircraft will be delivered in a fully compliant, METS mission-ready configuration from Textron Aviation’s King Air production line in Wichita, Kansas.
