Esterline CMC Electronics (CMC) is on track to deliver the first T-6B cockpit in the fourth quarter of this year further to receiving the first production order from Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) for CMC's integrated Cockpit 4000 for the HBC T-6B Texan trainer aircraft. The CMC Cockpit 4000 includes an Integrated Avionics Computer (IAC), a Heads-Up Display (HUD), Up Front Control Panel (UFCP), and Multifunction Displays (MFDs). CMC received the order in November 2008 for the first 35 aircraft in the production run after completing all necessary program requirements.

The T-6B Texan is based on the successful Beechcraft T-6A, already in service as the U.S. military's Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) aircraft, and is also the primary trainer for the NATO Flying Training Canada (NFTC), and the Hellenic Air Force of Greece. Through the introduction of the CMC advanced avionics upgrade, the T-6B aircraft retains all of the inherent training and flying characteristics that have made the T-6A the most successful primary trainer in the world, while introducing a state-of-the-art open architecture advanced avionics suite that mirrors the systems and capabilities of today's front-line military aircraft.

Jean-Michel Comtois, CMC's Vice President, Military Aviation, said: "This order is really an important milestone for CMC. The Cockpit 4000 provides a cost-effective, advanced military aviator training solution to air forces around the world, and better positions CMC to capture the lion's share of the basic trainer global market for turboprop training aircraft."