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Overigen => Defensie Nieuws & Media (Internationaal) => Topic gestart door: Harald op 06/06/2016 | 10:41 uur

Titel: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 06/06/2016 | 10:41 uur
Lockheed Martin flies the T-50A

Lockheed Martin this week successfully completed the initial flight test of its T-50A configured aircraft. The T-50A is the company's aircraft offering in the U.S. Air Force's Advanced Pilot Training competition, and is based on the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI T-50 Golden Eagle. The first flight took place from Sacheon airfield in South Korea.

"The aircraft in its new configuration with the 5th Gen cockpit and other upgrades performed flawlessly," said Mark Ward, Lockheed Martin T-50A lead test pilot, after the flight in Sacheon, South Korea. "I have no doubt this aircraft will close the gap which currently exists between the trainer fleet and 5th Generation fighters."

According to Lockheed Martin, the T-50A meets all APT requirements and can deliver those capabilities on schedule at low risk. The company is currently standing up its T-50A Final Assembly and Checkout site in Greenville, South Carolina.

Also in the race to supply a new jet trainer to the US, are Saab and Boeing, who aim to jointly design a new aircraft. Leonardo Finmeccanica has teamed up with Raytheon and offers the T-100, an upgraded version of the M-346 Master.

Lockheed Martin at first also announced it would design a new aircraft, but then changed its mind. The T-50A was developed jointly by Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries. The latter so far delivered over 100 T-50 aircraft. The fleet has accumulated 100,000 flight hours and has trained more than 1,000 pilots.

http://airheadsfly.com/2016/06/02/30982/



Deze T-50A doet me altijd denken aan de Skyhawk A-4, met zijn "bult"
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 06/06/2016 | 10:53 uur
(https://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getasset.aspx?itemid=67287)
Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/lockheed-flies-first-t-50a-in-hunt-for-usaf-trainer-426022/

Vanuit deze hoek lijkt de getoonde T-50A op een gekrompen F-16B/D.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 06/06/2016 | 10:56 uur
Voor als nog zet ik mijn kaarten op Boeing-Saab als clean sheet ontwerp (al was het maar om LM van een monopolie positie te weerhouden).

Daarnaast Northrop Grumman  heeft de B-21 en Boeing heeft na sluiting van de F15/F18 productielijnen: niets.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 06/06/2016 | 11:02 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 06/06/2016 | 10:56 uur
Voor als nog zet ik mijn kaarten op Boeing-Saab als clean sheet ontwerp (al was het maar om LM van een monopolie positie te weerhouden).

Daarnaast Northrop Grumman  heeft de B-21 en Boeing heeft na sluiting van de F15/F18 productielijnen: niets.

Het zou helemaal voor Boeing zuur zijn als Raytheon-Alenia Aermacchi met de buit ervandoor gaat. Zij zijn toch een soort van underdog.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 06/06/2016 | 11:07 uur
Ik zie voor/in het T-X programma veel potentie/ verkoop aantallen, niet alleen als trainer in de VS, maar juist als licht Multi-roll fighter.
Een toestel, klein wendbaar met A-A en A-G capaciteiten, voor landen die geen F-35 willen en mogen kopen. En welke goedkoper in aanschaf en onderhoud is.
Eigenlijk simpel gezegd voor alle landen welke nu vliegen met "oude" F-16's, mirage's, Mig29's e.d.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 06/06/2016 | 11:23 uur
Citaat van: Harald op 06/06/2016 | 11:07 uur
Ik zie voor/in het T-X programma veel potentie/ verkoop aantallen, niet alleen als trainer in de VS, maar juist als licht Multi-roll fighter.
Een toestel, klein wendbaar met A-A en A-G capaciteiten, voor landen die geen F-35 willen en mogen kopen. En welke goedkoper in aanschaf en onderhoud is.
Eigenlijk simpel gezegd voor alle landen welke nu vliegen met "oude" F-16's, mirage's, Mig29's e.d.

Het zal dan wel eerst aan het ontwerp moeten liggen v.w.b. de gevechtsmogelijkheden. Aan alleen de T-38 had je op dat vlak ook niets en was daarvoor het F-5A/B ontwerp nodig.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: JdL op 06/06/2016 | 11:36 uur
Citaat van: Harald op 06/06/2016 | 11:07 uur
Ik zie voor/in het T-X programma veel potentie/ verkoop aantallen, niet alleen als trainer in de VS, maar juist als licht Multi-roll fighter.
Een toestel, klein wendbaar met A-A en A-G capaciteiten, voor landen die geen F-35 willen en mogen kopen. En welke goedkoper in aanschaf en onderhoud is.
Eigenlijk simpel gezegd voor alle landen welke nu vliegen met "oude" F-16's, mirage's, Mig29's e.d.
+1
net zoals de F-5 serie vroeger.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 06/06/2016 | 14:22 uur
Citaat van: Sparkplug op 06/06/2016 | 11:23 uur
Het zal dan wel eerst aan het ontwerp moeten liggen v.w.b. de gevechtsmogelijkheden. Aan alleen de T-38 had je op dat vlak ook niets en was daarvoor het F-5A/B ontwerp nodig.

Klopt, maar ook de VS gaan er steeds meer stemmen op om de T (Trainer) een A erbij te geven van Attack. Ze zien ook in de VS dat geld niet oneindig is en dat het project JSF naar F-35 niet zonder (hoge) hobbels is en dat er naast de High-end systemen behoefte is aan Mid-end systemen met lagere aanschaf en onderhoudskosten voor "safari's" zoals in Irak en Afghanistan waarbij zoiets als Stealth e.d. totaal niet nodig zijn.

   
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 06/06/2016 | 14:42 uur
Citaat van: Harald op 06/06/2016 | 14:22 uur
Klopt, maar ook de VS gaan er steeds meer stemmen op om de T (Trainer) een A erbij te geven van Attack. Ze zien ook in de VS dat geld niet oneindig is en dat het project JSF naar F-35 niet zonder (hoge) hobbels is en dat er naast de High-end systemen behoefte is aan Mid-end systemen met lagere aanschaf en onderhoudskosten voor "safari's" zoals in Irak en Afghanistan waarbij zoiets als Stealth e.d. totaal niet nodig zijn.

Als de USAF/ANG een AT-X uitvoering wil, dan betwijfel ik of zij aan 350 stuks genoeg hebben. Dit aantal is zeker nodig om de T-38 bij de voortgezette vliegeropleiding te kunnen vervangen. Gaan zij allerlei toeters en bellen aan toevoegen, dan wordt een goedkoop type ook vanzelf duurder.

Wie weet hoelang zij de F-16C/D in gemoderniseerde vorm nog aanhouden.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 06/06/2016 | 15:09 uur
Citaat van: Sparkplug op 06/06/2016 | 14:42 uur
Als de USAF/ANG een AT-X uitvoering wil, dan betwijfel ik of zij aan 350 stuks genoeg hebben. Dit aantal is zeker nodig om de T-38 bij de voortgezette vliegeropleiding te kunnen vervangen. Gaan zij allerlei toeters en bellen aan toevoegen, dan wordt een goedkoop type ook vanzelf duurder.

Wie weet hoelang zij de F-16C/D in gemoderniseerde vorm nog aanhouden.

Ik denk zeker dat in de trainer-vervanging in de VS niet alleen specifiek voor vlieg-trainer zal zijn. Maar juist een trainer welke alle aspecten/capaciteiten kan uitvoeren, dus ook A-A en A-G. Dit om de vlieg uren op de F-35 te verkleinen om zo de kosten in opleiding en het bijhouden van je kennis/vlieg-uren met de systemen te verlagen.

En ja, ik zie die T-X  op termijn de F-16 vervangen.     
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Ace1 op 06/06/2016 | 17:16 uur
Citaat van: Harald op 06/06/2016 | 11:07 uur
Ik zie voor/in het T-X programma veel potentie/ verkoop aantallen, niet alleen als trainer in de VS, maar juist als licht Multi-roll fighter.
Een toestel, klein wendbaar met A-A en A-G capaciteiten, voor landen die geen F-35 willen en mogen kopen. En welke goedkoper in aanschaf en onderhoud is.
Eigenlijk simpel gezegd voor alle landen welke nu vliegen met "oude" F-16's, mirage's, Mig29's e.d.

Er is niks mis mee met een moderne versie van de A4 Skyhawk of de  F-5 Freedom Fighter.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 06/06/2016 | 17:32 uur
Citaat van: Harald op 06/06/2016 | 15:09 uur
Ik denk zeker dat in de trainer-vervanging in de VS niet alleen specifiek voor vlieg-trainer zal zijn. Maar juist een trainer welke alle aspecten/capaciteiten kan uitvoeren, dus ook A-A en A-G. Dit om de vlieg uren op de F-35 te verkleinen om zo de kosten in opleiding en het bijhouden van je kennis/vlieg-uren met de systemen te verlagen.

En ja, ik zie die T-X  op termijn de F-16 vervangen.   

Er wordt gesproken over de T-X in de rol van red air en voor de National Guard wat zou beteken een aanzienlijk grotere order dan slechts een trainer... afwachten dus, maar ook de Amerikanen realiseren zich dat er meer kwantiteit nodig is dan alleen de F22, F35 en de B-21.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 06/06/2016 | 17:33 uur
Citaat van: Ace1 op 06/06/2016 | 17:16 uur
Er is niks mis mee met een moderne versie van de A4 Skyhawk of de  F-5 Freedom Fighter.

Niet in een gezonde mix aan capaciteiten.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 06/06/2016 | 17:43 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 06/06/2016 | 17:32 uur
Er wordt gesproken over de T-X in de rol van red air en voor de National Guard wat zou beteken een aanzienlijk grotere order dan slechts een trainer... afwachten dus, maar ook de Amerikanen realiseren zich dat er meer kwantiteit nodig is dan alleen de F22, F35 en de B-21.

Red Air kan met een onbewapende moderne advanced trainer virtueel worden uitgevoerd.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 06/06/2016 | 17:51 uur
Citaat van: Sparkplug op 06/06/2016 | 17:43 uur
Red Air kan met een onbewapende moderne advanced trainer virtueel worden uitgevoerd.

Duidelijk.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 06/06/2016 | 18:05 uur
Citaat van: Sparkplug op 06/06/2016 | 17:43 uur
Red Air kan met een onbewapende moderne advanced trainer virtueel worden uitgevoerd.
Zo was en is de T-38 ook, dat was ook de bedoeling en zeker goed in die taak. Maar de USAF gaat extra capaciteiten toevoegen aan het T-X programma.
En ja, dat ben ik met je eens je moet de basis niet uit het ook verliezen. Als Trainer moet hij goed zijn.

Maar voor Red Air hebben ook Skyhawks, F-16's en F-15's "gespeeld", zelfs Russische kisten zelf. Volgens mij ex Duitse Mig29.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 13/06/2016 | 14:58 uur
The T-X Is How America Will Train Its Future Fighter Pilots

The U.S. Air Force is working on a set of system specifications for a new next-generation advanced jet trainer to replace the long-serving Northrop T-38 Talon, which first became operational in 1961.

While the venerable Talon remains an outstanding trainer, the diminutive twin-engine supersonic jet can no longer meet the demands of training pilots to fly advanced fifth-generation stealth fighters such as the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

As such, the Air Force hopes to replace the T-38 with 350 new advanced jet trainers under a program it calls the Advanced Pilot Training program, or simply T-X, which includes a fully integrated aircraft, ground-based training system and sustainment elements.

The service finalized the requirement for the new aircraft earlier this year.

"The T-X will replace the T-38," Skip Hinman, the Air Education and Training Command's branch chief for Advanced Pilot Training (APT) — or T-X — requirements, told The National Interest.

Hinman explained that both he and his father flew the same T-38 during pilot training. "It's a 55-year-old aircraft today, and by the time we're completely done with fielding the T-X, the T-38 will be 73 years old."

The T-38 was originally developed to train pilots to fly so-called third generation fighters like the Convair F-106 Delta Dart and F-105 Thunderchief. In fact, one retired Air Force pilot — who flew the Delta Dart — said that the Talon handles remarkably similarly.

But while the Air Force could make the T-38 work for training pilots to fly more advanced fourth-generation fighters like the Boeing F-15C Eagle and the Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon, the service was forced to shift training to formal training units where young aviators learn to fly operational fighters.

"As we moved onto fourth-gen aircraft like the F-15 and the F-16, gaps began to develop in the capabilities of the T-38," Hinman said. "Those gaps further increased now as we move onto fifth-gen capabilities like the F-22 and the F-35."

Indeed, the situation now is such that the Air Force has moved two-thirds of the pilot training tasks that were originally intended to be completed in undergraduate pilot training into formal training units that fly the F-15, F-16, F-22 and F-35.

The practice is expensive because of the high cost of flying those aircraft — and because it eats up the precious airframe life of those pricey machines. "The goal with T-X is to pull those tasks back into the advanced pilot training program," Hinman said.

There are 18 specific tasks that prospective pilots need to learn while qualifying to fly a fighter in the U.S. Air Force. Currently, 12 of those tasks have been pushed to the formal training units. Most of the gaps are "transferable" skills such as flying air-to-air, night flying, operating complex avionics and aerial refueling.

For air-to-air training, for example, the T-38 can sustain less than 5.5G turns operationally.

"We know we need an aircraft that has a greater performance capability," Hinman said. "The T-X minimum requirement for sustained Gs is 6.5. We refer to that as the threshold requirement in acquisitions speak, the maximum or desired capability is 7.5G."

The Air Force has also set the bar for a minimum "angle of attack" capability of 20 degrees, with an objective requirement of 25 degrees AOA.

"When you combine those two capabilities, you begin to see a platform where we can train in the types of air-to-air skill sets that they need to develop in a trainer aircraft," Hinman said. "When they move onto a fifth-gen, the capabilities are beyond that, but they have developed the baseline fundamentals they need."

Another T-38 limitation is that pilots cannot train with night-vision goggles, but night-vision capability will be mandatory on the T-X. The new trainer will also include aerial refueling training capability.

"That's a substantial, very significant improvement," Hinman said. "There is no air refueling training in the T-38. In the T-X — as a threshold requirement — we will be able to perform air refuel training in a very sophisticated ground based trainer. For the aircraft, that will be an objective requirement. The desired capability is that the aircraft itself will be able to perform air refuelings."

The T-X will also be able to replicate the cockpit environment found in fifth-generation fighters such as the F-22 and F-35. The T-X will include not only a large area display similar to the one found on the F-35, but simulate a multitude of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons and sensors onboard the aircraft.

Onboard, there will be a simulated radar and potentially a targeting pod (the targeting pod is something the Air Force wants ideally, but the threshold requirement is for a targeting pod in the simulator), and the students will be able to fuse data from multiple sources — with a real and simulated datalink — just like a pilot inside an F-22 or F-35, Hinman said.

The Air Force calls the ability to simulate weapons and sensors onboard the aircraft "embedded training."

The current T-X program is geared purely towards replacing the T-38s being used for Undergraduate Pilot Training and the "Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals" course. The current program won't address the need to replace Talons being used for other purposes like testing, or at aggressor units such as the ones that fly alongside F-22 squadrons in Virginia and Florida.

But the Air Force is mandating that the T-X aircraft be adaptable for future modifications. "We've designed in some flexibility and adaptability to those future needs," Hinman said. "We have designed in excess space, weight, power and cooling (SWaP-C)."

The T-X airframe will be built with the ability to accept additional line replaceable units to host additional avionics — including the power and cooling necessary to handle those electronics. The airframe itself will also have the ability to handle additional weight and the wiring needed to install weapons hardpoints on the wings.

There will also be space in the nose to add a real radar should the need arise. Moreover, even if a contractor chose not to include a real aerial refueling capability onboard the T-X, the requirements will state that the aircraft have the ability to add in that capability later, without major modifications.

"We're intentionally building that in," Hinman said.

The Air Force — which describes the need for the T-X as "existential" — hopes to have the new jet achieve initial operational capability no later than 2024.

"We on a timeline to meet IOC in 2024 and a full operational capability in 2034," Hinman said — noting that's also the date the T-38 will be finally retired. To meet that deadline, the Air Force will have to work quickly. The service hopes to release its request for proposals this December and award a contract by the following December in 2017.

To meet the T-X requirement, Northrop Grumman and Boeing are both designing new "purpose built" aircraft. Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin is offering a modified T-50 — which it co-developed with South Korea for the T-X requirement.

The last contender is Raytheon, which has teamed up with Italy's Alenia — recently renamed Leonardo — to offer the T-100 Master, which originates as a co-development effort with Russia's Yakovlev.

The current T-X program is the Air Force's second attempt — ongoing since 2008 — to replace the T-38 Talon. The Air Force seems committed to developing and fielding the new jet, however, the service's budgets are unpredictable given the turmoil in Congress.

Nonetheless, if the Air Force succeeds in developing the T-X, it would open the door to many new markets for the winning contractor. With the majority of America's allies purchasing the F-35, those nations too will require a new trainer.

For those future F-35 customers, the T-X could be their trainer of choice.

https://warisboring.com/the-t-x-is-how-america-will-train-its-future-fighter-pilots-36bace950606#.2ldyh01ky
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 21/06/2016 | 08:35 uur
Dual-Role M-346 to Shift From Trainer to Fighter 'At Flick of a Switch'

Italy's Leonardo-Finmeccanica is promising that its planned M-346 dual-role aircraft will be able to turn from trainer to fighter "at the flick of a switch."

.../...

You could keep the armaments, but with one switch stop them being fired," he said. "Nobody else can do this," he added.

With both air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons planned for the aircraft, Leonardo-Finmeccanica is hoping to woo customers looking for the economy of one aircraft doing two jobs.

"We realized customers need an aircraft that can do two missions," said Ghione.

Leonardo-Finmeccanica will also present at Farnborough a mock-up of the version of the M-346 that will be offered — with Raytheon as prime contractor — in the US TX trainer bid.

.../...

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2016/06/20/dual-role-m-346-shift-trainer-fighter-flick-switch/86133754/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 11/07/2016 | 09:32 uur
Boeing Likely To Market Mysterious Trainer Outside US  (helaas nog weinig/niets bekend over het ontwerp .. )

Whether or not it wins the US Air Force T-X trainer competition, Boeing and Saab are likely to market their next-generation trainer design around the globe.

Speaking to reporters Sunday in London, Boeing defense head Leanne Caret expressed confidence in the trainer design, even as she continued to keep details of the heretofore mysterious trainer design close to the vest.

"Regardless of T-X or any of our weapon systems, the reason we have been so successful is because we take a global view of all of our product lines," Caret said in response to a question about marketing the jet outside the US. "So I don't look to T-X being any different in that regard."

.../...

The global trainer market remains strong, so marketing the design globally makes sense. However, winning the T-X competition will remain the primary focus of all those involved in the competition, as the size of the US buy — which could potentially grow in the future — represents a procurement few other nations could match.

Additionally, many countries are likely to follow the US lead in selecting a trainer, especially those which operate the F-35.

.../...

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/show-daily/farnborough/2016/07/10/boeing-saab-market-mysterious-trainer-outside-us-tx-farnborough/86919356/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 12/07/2016 | 17:03 uur
FARNBOROUGH: USAF considers expanded role for T-X

By Leigh Giangreco, Farnborough | 12 July 2016

The US Air Force is considering expanding the scope of its T-X trainer requirement to include the role of an aggressor aircraft or potentially as a replacement for its Fairchild Dornier A-10 Warthogs.

Although the service is yet to issue a formal request for proposals on T-X, USAF officials have expressed interest in using the aircraft to fulfill the close air support mission of the A-10 replacement, also known as AT-X, said Dan Darnell, vice-president of strategic initiatives at Raytheon, speaking at the show on Tuesday.

"They made it clear that it'd sure be nice if there was some accommodation for air refueling beyond this point and the aircraft could be used as an aggressor and/or a replacement for the A-10," Darnell says.

Leonardo, Raytheon's airframe partner in the T-X contest, unveiled a new multi-role version of its M-346 trainer this week. The M-346T can switch between a trainer and combat role, and development will wrap up in about two years.


Raytheon, along with its partners, will implement a block upgrade on an existing airframe for their T-100 offering. The T-100 has aerial refueling capability via a hose and drogue system, but design engineering work to develop a boom receiver is ongoing, Darnell says.

T-X competitor Lockheed Martin recently scrapped its clean-sheet design for the trainer in favor of the T-50A, while Boeing/Saab and Northrop Grumman/BAE Systems teams are moving forward with new designs.

The air force is still finalising its requirements for the trainer and Darnell estimates that the service's final request for proposals should be issued by year-end, with a downselect at the end of 2017.

Raytheon's proposed aircraft already exceeds the service's stringent sustained 6.5g requirement, Darnell says.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/farnborough-usaf-considers-expanded-role-for-t-x-427313/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 15/07/2016 | 16:12 uur
Air Force Needs to Pull the Trigger On An RFP for A New Jet Trainer

Source: Lexington Institute; issued July 13, 2016

The U.S. Air Force flies the most modern combat aircraft and the oldest trainers of any major air force on Earth. In a world in which the difference between winning and losing in combat is most often a matter of the quality of military personnel and their training, the lack of a modern jet trainer is unacceptable. The average age of the Air Force's primary jet trainer, the venerable T-38 Talon, is 42 years.

Reliance on essentially an obsolete aircraft creates a maintenance nightmare, risks a catastrophic fleet failure that would halt all jet pilot training and creates a potential skills gap as new pilots move to highly sophisticated aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35.

Even though the Air Force is all about technology and airplanes, trainer aircraft have a tendency to fall to the bottom of the priority list. When defense budgets are flush, this is usually because there are external demands that focus attention on maintaining high readiness and a large force of combat-coded aircraft. When defense budgets are lean, attention goes to protecting the major modernization programs for combat systems. Now the Air Force is looking at a "Perfect Storm" problem of high operational tempo, tight procurement budgets and multiple major acquisition programs going into production in the next decade. Somehow it is never the right time for a new jet trainer.

Planning for this procurement, including development of requirements, consultations with industry and analysis of alternatives, began in 2003. The Air Force repeatedly slipped the expected time for pursuing a contract for a T-38 replacement to the right. A formal T-X statement of requirements wasn't released until March 2015. Unfortunately, the Air Force has announced that it will delay releasing the formal request for proposals (RFP) until the end of 2016 with initial operational capability for the T-X not expected until 2024.

A major reason for the delay has been the inability of the Air Force to settle on the critical performance requirements for the T-X. Initially, the idea was to demand that the T-X be a non-developmental item. But as additional requirements emerged, several potential competitors decided that only a clean sheet design, even with its potentially higher costs and greater risks, made sense. Most recently, the Air Force has begun to suggest that this new trainer might also serve as the basis for an A-10 replacement.

As any observer of the defense acquisition system knows, there are real dangers associated with unstable and ever increasing requirements. Costs go up, development times lengthen, risk increases and testing takes longer. The tendency with these one-every-half-century acquisition programs is to load them down with the requirement to respond to everything that might possibly be needed over the next 50 years. Such an approach is guaranteed to fail in the future as it has so often in the past.

Fortunately, the Air Force looks to have a rich menu of candidate platforms from which to choose. In fact, the number of teams in the hunt for the T-X and the variety of their offerings belies warnings made by analysts and outside experts over the past few years that this sector was in decline.

There are at least four likely offerings for the T-X. Raytheon has teamed with Leonardo (formerly Finmeccanica) to provide an enhanced variant of the latter's popular Alenia Aermacchi M-346 advanced jet trainer. Lockheed Martin is teamed with Korea Aerospace Industries to provide a version of the T-50, produced as an advanced trainer for the South Korean Air Force. Northrop Grumman had originally thought to provide an upgraded version of the BAE Systems Hawk T2 but since the initial discussions with the Air Force regarding high end requirements, both it and the fourth team, Boeing/SAAB, have indicated that they will compete but with clear sheet designs that have not yet been revealed. A fifth potential competitor, Textron and its teammate, AirLand, had intended to offer their Scorpion light attack jet, but apparently decided to withdraw when the Air Force levied additional requirements on the program. This may be the canary in the coal mine, indicating that the Air Force is overreaching with its requirements for T-X.

There is a window, albeit a narrow one, for the Air Force to acquire a new jet trainer before the bow wave of major acquisition programs – F-35, KC-46, B-21, advanced munitions, ICBM recap – hits procurement budgets. But this would require releasing an RFP and making an award in the most expeditious fashion.

Any further delays in this important, even vital, modernization program could get submerged in the anticipated budgetary battles to protect major acquisition programs for critical combat capabilities.

But this means that the Air Force has to temper its lust for additional requirements as well as manage its laborious process for developing bulletproof RFPs.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/175560/us-air-force-should-launch-rfp-for-new-trainer-soon.html
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 22/08/2016 | 19:32 uur
Northrop Grumman's T-X design breaks cover

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly - 22 August 2016

(https://www.defensieforum.nl/Forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.janes.com%2Fimages%2Fassets%2F129%2F63129%2F1684121_-_main.jpg&hash=8396d02840714a448b361c0d48d9cb4db25e5b17)
The Northrop Grumman T-X prototype seen during taxi trials at Mojave Air and Space Port on 19 August. Its appearance is broadly similar to the T-38 Talon that it is aiming to replace. Source: Withheld

Three of the four offerings for the US Air Force's (USAF's) T-X jet trainer competition are now known, with Northrop Grumman's clean-sheet design being photographed for the first time on 19 August.

The single-engined jet was seen performing high-speed taxi trials at Mojave Air and Space Port in California ahead of an imminently expected first flight.

Details of the twin-seat aircraft had until now been largely kept secret by the company. A model had previously been briefly shown to reporters, but photographs were not allowed. Sporting registration number N400NT, the low-winged aircraft that has been built by Northrop Grumman subsidiary company Scaled Composites looks somewhat similar to the Northrop T-38 Talon that it is aiming to replace, albeit it with a chined-forward fuselage and single-engined configuration.

Northrop Grumman had originally planned to offer the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) with its partner, BAE Systems. This option was later abandoned in favour of the clean-sheet design. Besides the Northrop Grumman/BAE Systems team, the USD1 billion T-X requirement is also being competed by Boeing-Saab, Lockheed Martin-Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), and Raytheon-Leonardo.

Boeing/Saab is to offer its own clean-sheet design; Lockheed Martin is offering a version of the KAI T-50 (designated T-50A for the USAF); and Raytheon/Leonardo is to offer the M-346 (to be designated T-100 for T-X). Of these, only Boeing/Saab has yet to reveal details of its offering.

According to the USAF's fiscal year 2016 budget request, a T-X contract for upwards of 450 aircraft will be awarded about 12 months on from the release of a request for proposals that is expected before the end of 2016.

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http://www.janes.com/article/63129/northrop-grumman-s-t-x-design-breaks-cover
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 22/08/2016 | 19:37 uur
Citaat van: Sparkplug op 22/08/2016 | 19:32 uur
Northrop Grumman's T-X design breaks cover


Nog één te gaan en we hebben de volledige competitie in beeld...

Gevoelsmatig wachten we op de winnaar: Boeing-Saab.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 22/08/2016 | 21:56 uur
New Images Offer Sneak Peak of Boeing, Northrop T-X Designs

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/tx-trainer-northrop-grumman-boeing-saab
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Ace1 op 23/08/2016 | 20:22 uur
Hier wat meer te vinden over het Boeing ontwerp.

http://www.boeing.com/defense/t-x#/video-player/boeing-t-x-sneak-peek-1
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 31/08/2016 | 08:53 uur
US Air Force Closes in on Assessment of Lockheed's FA-50

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/fa-50-air-force-lockheed-martin-crada-airworthiness-assessment-international-sales
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 08/09/2016 | 10:59 uur
Commander of USAF's AETC to fly T-50 in South Korea

Head of the U.S. Air Force's Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson is on an official visit to South Korea this week, during his stay there, he will tour the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50 production line and fly the jet at the 16th tactical fighter wing in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province.

http://alert5.com/2016/09/08/commander-of-usafs-aetc-to-fly-t-50-in-south-korea/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 12/09/2016 | 13:52 uur
Boeing to Reveal New Details on its T-X Trainer Next Week

More details on Boeing's new T-X trainer should be unveiled Tuesday, a week before the Air Force Association's annual Air, Space and Cyber Conference outside Washington, D.C.

For three years, Boeing has been secretive about its proposal to manufacture the new twin-engine, supersonic jet trainer. The Chicago-based company, collaborating with Saab, is directly competing with Northrop Grumman Corp. for a new "clean sheet" design.

The Air Force wants a replacement for its T-38 Talon trainer aircraft, first produced by Northrop in 1959. The Talon is used to prep pilots for "front-line fighter and bomber aircraft such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-15C Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-1B Lancer, A-10 Thunderbolt and F-22 Raptor," according to the service.

The service hopes to buy 350 new trainer jets.

Photos surfaced last month on social media showing the Northrop version of the aircraft. Northrop spokeswoman Katherine Thompson confirmed to Defense News that the photos were of its trainer, which was conducting taxi testing in Mojave, California. Northrop is partnering with BAE Systems, L-3 and Rolls-Royce on the project.

Promo videos of Boeing's version were posted on the company's site days after Northrop's flightline tests. The official Twitter account for Boeing on Sept. 1 also posted, "Mark your calendars: #NewBoeingTX will be revealed in St. Louis on September 13" with a link to the sneak peek videos.

Other vendor teams such as Lockheed Martin Corp. and Korea Aerospace Industries, and Raytheon Co., Leonardo-Finmeccanica and CAE Inc. are offering modification designs to current aircraft, but are not competing in clean sheet designs.

At the upcoming AFA conference, Boeing will have five exhibit booths on the technology show floor, more than any other defense company presenting at the exposition.

http://www.defensetech.org/2016/09/09/boeing-to-reveal-new-details-on-its-t-x-trainer-next-week/

bekijk de promo video in bovenstaande link ....
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 13/09/2016 | 20:48 uur
Het lijkt mij handiger om in dit topic verder te gaan over de Boeing/Saab T-X kandidaat.

Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 13/09/2016 | 20:32 uur
Lijkt vanuit mijn leken oog meer in huis te hebben dan louter een trainer.

Mocht dit ontwerp winnen, dan kan Boeing en/of Saab eventueel een gevechtsversie ernaast ontwikkelen. Net zoals Northrop dat deed met de F-5A/B naast de T-38A.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 13/09/2016 | 20:52 uur
Citaat van: Sparkplug op 13/09/2016 | 20:48 uur
Het lijkt mij handiger om in dit topic verder te gaan over de Boeing/Saab T-X kandidaat.

Mocht dit ontwerp winnen, dan kan Boeing en/of Saab eventueel een gevechtsversie ernaast ontwikkelen. Net zoals Northrop dat deed met de F-5A/B naast de T-38A.

.@BoeingDefense T-X uses forward and main landing gear from F-16, and internal equipment from @Saab Gripen fighter, officials say.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 13/09/2016 | 20:54 uur
Citaat van: Harald op 13/09/2016 | 20:49 uur
Bij de ontwerpen van de M-346 (T-100) en de T-50A, heb ik gevoelsmatig een meer fighter/bomber gevoel. Misschien komt dat ook wel doordat de basis van die 2 ontwerpen ook die capaciteiten idd hebben.

We zullen zien, eerst maar eens afwachten op de specs en meer info.

Kan me voorstellen dat ze gekozen hebben voor een motor in de serie General Electric F414-GE-400, dezelfde als van de Gripen E en de F-18E/F

Citaat van: Sparkplug op 13/09/2016 | 20:48 uur
Het lijkt mij handiger om in dit topic verder te gaan over de Boeing/Saab T-X kandidaat.

Mocht dit ontwerp winnen, dan kan Boeing en/of Saab eventueel een gevechtsversie ernaast ontwikkelen. Net zoals Northrop dat deed met de F-5A/B naast de T-38A.

idd, dat ik ook al even, nu is het een T-38A vervanger.
De huidige vleugel geeft niet echt aan dat er veel voorzieningen zijn voor ophangpunten voor het aanbrengen van bewapening. In iedergeval geen raketten aan de wingtips, zoals bij de F-16.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 13/09/2016 | 20:57 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 13/09/2016 | 20:52 uur
.@BoeingDefense T-X uses forward and main landing gear from F-16, and internal equipment from @Saab Gripen fighter, officials say.

Alleen zeggen ze niet wat er van de Gripen wordt gebruikt. Overigens komt het vaker voor dat het onderstel van een al bestaand gevechtstoestel wordt 'geleend' (onderstel van bijvoorbeeld de S-3 Viking komt van de A-7 Corsair II).
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 13/09/2016 | 21:00 uur
Citaat van: Harald op 13/09/2016 | 20:54 uur
idd, dat ik ook al even, nu is het een T-38A vervanger.
De huidige vleugel geeft niet echt aan dat er veel voorzieningen zijn voor ophangpunten voor het aanbrengen van bewapening. In iedergeval geen raketten aan de wingtips, zoals bij de F-16.

De vleugels kunnen, wanneer dit het winnende ontwerp is, altijd nog worden aangepast voor bewapening. Echter moeten ze eerst de T-X competitie zien te winnen en het is aan de USAF wat de eisen zijn.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 13/09/2016 | 21:05 uur
Citaat van: Sparkplug op 13/09/2016 | 21:00 uur
De vleugels kunnen, wanneer dit het winnende ontwerp is, altijd nog worden aangepast voor bewapening. Echter moeten ze eerst de T-X competitie zien te winnen en het is aan de USAF wat de eisen zijn.
idd, en tussen ontwerp en definitief vliegend toestel zit ook nog verschil.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: JdL op 13/09/2016 | 21:22 uur
Zou er bij de USAF momenteel gedacht worden aan een ligtweight fighter versie van de T-X?
De USAF heeft de F-5 ook nooit operationeel gebruikt. Ja ook de USAF moet flink inleveren aan kwantiteit maar de Amerikanen hebben niet voor niets het standpunt: bigger is better.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 13/09/2016 | 21:27 uur
Citaat van: JdL op 13/09/2016 | 21:22 uur
Zou er bij de USAF momenteel gedacht worden aan een ligtweight fighter versie van de T-X?
De USAF heeft de F-5 ook nooit operationeel gebruikt. Ja ook de USAF moet flink inleveren aan kwantiteit maar de Amerikanen hebben niet voor niets het standpunt: bigger is better.

De USAF heeft wel degelijk met een F-5A variant gevlogen, maar met kleine aantallen. Zij vlogen met de F-5C (afgeleide van de F-5A) in de periode 1965-1967 in Zuid-Vietnam (Skoshi Tiger programma) en droegen ze vervolgens over aan de Zuid Vietnamese luchtmacht.

De eerste prioriteit van de USAF is een T-38 vervanger.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 13/09/2016 | 22:16 uur
Citaat van: JdL op 13/09/2016 | 21:22 uur
Zou er bij de USAF momenteel gedacht worden aan een ligtweight fighter versie van de T-X?
De USAF heeft de F-5 ook nooit operationeel gebruikt. Ja ook de USAF moet flink inleveren aan kwantiteit maar de Amerikanen hebben niet voor niets het standpunt: bigger is better.

Ik heb artikelen voorbij zien komen dat de T-X ook voor de nationale garde een optie zou kunnen zijn voor o.a. QRA.

Kan ik me ook wel iets bij voorstellen immers F15/16/22/35 voor alleen QRA in staten die niet aan de buitengrens liggen van de VS is misschien wat over kill, zelfs voor de Amerikanen.

Wellicht biedt een high/low mix hier een afdoende oplossing.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 14/09/2016 | 07:30 uur
Dan heeft dit topic ook weer een up to date artikel  ;)

Boeing unveils contender for Northrop T-38 replacement

By Leigh Giangreco | St Louis | 13 September, 2016

Boeing and Saab finally took the wraps off a purposely-designed jet trainer today to offer as a replacement initially for the US Air Force's fleet of more than 400 Northrop T-38s.

Showing off a design featuring twin, canted tails and a shoulder-mounted, anhedral wing, the Boeing/Saab team will compete with a high-powered trainer with a 17,700lb-thrust GE Aviation F404-GE-402 with full afterburner.

The team's clean sheet design resembles Saab's compact Gripen fighter and its twin tails allow for more maneuverability at high angle of attack, Darryl Davis, president of Boeing Phantom Works Defense told reporters. In its most recent draft request for proposals, the US Air Force called for 25˚ of high angle of attack.

(https://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getasset.aspx?itemid=68323)
Boeing

"Typically, you grow tails extremely large for high angle of attack maneuverability and we chose to take a different path," he says. "Size relates to cost. The smaller and more compact, the more requirements you're going to meet and the more affordable is."

While Boeing focused on meeting the USAF's requirements to keep costs down, their T-X offering allows for future growth potential, Davis says. That growth plan included the afterburner, which was not a USAF requirement, he says.

Northrop Grumman's T-X offering, the Model 400, is powered by a single GE Aviation F404-GE-102D engine, FlightGlobal previously reported. However, that version of the F404 will not include an afterburner, limiting the aircraft to 11,000lb-thrust. Among the T-X bidders, Lockheed Martin/Korea Aerospace Industries' T-50 features the same engine as the Boeing/Saab design, including the afterburner. Raytheon/Alenia, meanwhile, is offering the M346 powered by two Honeywell F124 engines generating 6,200lb-thrust each.

The current configuration of the Boeing T-X provides hardpoints on the center fuselage for a cargo pod, but does not have additional hardpoints on the wings. However, Boeing could grow to two hardpoints per wing plus the centerline point without changing the aircraft's design.

Those capabilities could leave the door open for a possible aggressor role, though Davis cautioned Boeing is focused on winning the T-X competition first.

"This is all about the trainer," he says. "If we choose to go down that path, we built something with a lot of growth potential."

(https://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getasset.aspx?itemid=68324)
Boeing

Boeing must deliver five jets for the engineering, manufacturing and development stage, two of which are already built. The two jets built today are not prototypes, but are ready to go into the EMD phase, Davis says. Boeing would conduct EMD at its facilities in St. Louis but is assessing several options for its production phase, he adds.

The Air Force plans to procure more than 300 T-X trainers to replace its aging fleet of T-38s and prepare its pilots for single-seat, fifth-generation fighters. Boeing and Saab have teamed up with a clean-sheet design for their trainer bid, while Raytheon is offering the T-100 variant of the twin-engined Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master. Lockheed Martin stepped away from its clean sheet design and is pushing its "ready-to-go" T-50A. Lockheed and Korea Aerospace Industries recently completed an initial test flight of the second T-50A trainer aircraft, the company announced on 26 July.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-unveils-contender-for-northrop-t-38-replaceme-429293/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 14/09/2016 | 09:18 uur
Citaat van: Sparkplug op 14/09/2016 | 07:30 uur
Boeing unveils contender for Northrop T-38 replacement

By Leigh Giangreco | St Louis | 13 September, 2016

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-unveils-contender-for-northrop-t-38-replaceme-429293/

Dit artikel geeft dus al antwoord op een aantal vragen die we hier op het forum gesteld zijn/hebben.

Saab-Boeing T-X ontwerp is in de huidige basis gewoon een Trainer, maar wel gekozen voor een ontwerp met lichte uitbreidingsmogelijkheden.
Goede keuze, om te kiezen voor een motor met afterburner en met meer vermogen.

This is all about the trainer," he says. "If we choose to go down that path, we built something with a lot of growth potential."

lijk me duidelijk.

Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 14/09/2016 | 09:57 uur


Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: JdL op 14/09/2016 | 16:05 uur
Een eenmotorige F-18D/F met grippen software.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Lynxian op 14/09/2016 | 23:38 uur
Hoewel weinig inhoudelijk, vindt ik deze trainer een stuk sexier dan de M-346.  8)
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 15/09/2016 | 10:03 uur
Why Boeing plays its cards right with the T-X

Boeing this week gave itself a handful of exactly the right cards when it comes to the winning the T-X competition that is aimed at replacing hundreds of ageing US Air Force T-38 training jets over the next decade. Their solution is the twin-tailed, single-engined and apparently cleverly designed Boeing T-X, developed in partnership with Swedish Saab. The new jet may very well come out victorious.

It's not often these days that a major aircraft manufacturer unveils a jet that was 100 percent designed from scratch. All eyes were therefore set on Boeing as the company revealed its T-X on Tuesday 13 September. Prior to that, only an artist's impression and a few sneak peeks of the aircraftwere revealed. Boeing is producing two aircraft at first, which are registered as BT-X in the Federal Aviation Authority register.

Stealing looks
The result positively surprised many; a futuristic looking jet that however also steals some looks from the legendary F-104 Starfighter, especially when it comes to the front section. The rear more resembles modern fighter such as the F-15, F-22 and F-35. As a whole, it even looks remarkably similar to the new-ish AirLand Scorpion.

Stealing parts
And yet, the BT-X was actually not 100 percent designed from scratch and steals more than just looks for other jets. It steal the F-16's front and main landing gear and internally uses many parts of the Saab Gripen. In the past, this design method was also succesfully used on aircraft such as the F-117. Commonality helps keeping development and production costs low and gives the jet an immediate edge over its competitors, being the Lockheed Martin/Korea Aerospace Industries T-50, Leonardo/Raytheon T-100 (based on the M-346) and the Northrop Grumman T-X design. According to Boeing, their BT-X can be produced and put together relatively simple, whatever that precisely means.

Yes, Lockheed Martin T-50 is an exisiting design and also should benefit from lower development costs, and the same goes for the T-100. But both are non-US designs, and the lengthy and unimpressive process that finally led to the US designed KC-46 over the existing European Airbus A330 MRTT as the US Air Force's next tanker aircraft, proves Washington's preference for US designs.

Boeing T-38 contract
The Boeing T-X is just that: a design mainly from a US contractor, with just the right amount of development to be done. Considering criticised projects such as the And remember, Boeing earlier in 2016 won a ten-year contract worth $855 million for updating T-38 trainer jets, the very aircraft the T-X will replace. It's the perfect way to gain expertise and insight into the exact requirements of modern day fighter pilot training.

Engine
Also, Boeing uses the afterburning General Electric F404 engine in its design, as do the T-50 and Northrop Grumman T-X competitor – not to mention the Saab Gripen. The yet-to-fly Leonardo/Raytheon T-100 will use two Honeywell/ITEC F124 turbofans and is he only contender to use two engines and not use afterburner. That's a problem for the joint US-Italian designed T-100 right there in terms of costs, maintenance and performance. Northrop Grumman meanwhile has it hands full with developing the new Longe Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B), also known as the future B-21.

The US Air Force's new trainer should be fully operational in 2024 at the latest. A decision on which design wins the competition, is to be taken over the next few years. Boeing drew its cards right. No need even for a pokerface, it seems.

http://airheadsfly.com/2016/09/14/why-boeing-plays-its-cards-right-with-the-t-x/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Micheltje op 15/09/2016 | 19:45 uur
Citaat van: Lynxian op 14/09/2016 | 23:38 uur
Hoewel weinig inhoudelijk, vindt ik deze trainer een stuk sexier dan de M-346.  8)

En aantrekkelijker als aanvulling en trainer voor de KLu
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: JdL op 16/09/2016 | 07:45 uur
Citaat van: Micheltje op 15/09/2016 | 19:45 uur
En aantrekkelijker als aanvulling en trainer voor de KLu
Idd, eenmotorig, en onderstel van de F-16. Wel snel een fighter-trainer variant ontwikkelen graag. Dan zou het wat mij betreft precies passen in de high-end, low-end mix die Jurrien en ik graag zouden zien bij een fatsoenlijk budget.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 16/09/2016 | 08:44 uur
Citaat van: JdL op 16/09/2016 | 07:45 uur
Idd, eenmotorig, en onderstel van de F-16. Wel snel een fighter-trainer variant ontwikkelen graag. Dan zou het wat mij betreft precies passen in de high-end, low-end mix die Jurrien en ik graag zouden zien bij een fatsoenlijk budget.

Een dergelijke aankoop kost geld maar over de exploitatie periode bespaard het aanzienlijk. Zodra lucht-lucht en grond-lucht dreigingen de kop zijn ingedrukt kunnen de F35's weer naar huis - of een aantal van deze - waarna de  fighter-trainer in veel gevallen afdoende zal blijken te zijn.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: JdL op 16/09/2016 | 10:10 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 16/09/2016 | 08:44 uur
Een dergelijke aankoop kost geld maar over de exploitatie periode bespaard het aanzienlijk. Zodra lucht-lucht en grond-lucht dreigingen de kop zijn ingedrukt kunnen de F35's weer naar huis - of een aantal van deze - waarna de  fighter-trainer in veel gevallen afdoende zal blijken te zijn.
+1
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 16/09/2016 | 11:57 uur
Citaat van: JdL op 16/09/2016 | 07:45 uur
Wel snel een fighter-trainer variant ontwikkelen graag.

Dan moet de Boeing/Saab kandidaat wel eerst de T-X competitie winnen. Vanuit die positie is het voor hen gemakkelijker om iets extra's te gaan ontwikkelen. Wel blijft het bij vijf ophangpunten voor bewapening en zal een eventuele all-weather radarsysteem (als dat mogelijk is) extra gaan kosten.

Het wordt interessant of de Europese landen in de VS zullen blijven voor de gevorderde vliegopleiding of dat men overstapt naar een Europees initiatief zoals de Italiaanse vliegopleiding met de T-346.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Micheltje op 16/09/2016 | 14:44 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 16/09/2016 | 08:44 uur
Een dergelijke aankoop kost geld maar over de exploitatie periode bespaard het aanzienlijk. Zodra lucht-lucht en grond-lucht dreigingen de kop zijn ingedrukt kunnen de F35's weer naar huis - of een aantal van deze - waarna de  fighter-trainer in veel gevallen afdoende zal blijken te zijn.

Idd het kan op de langere termijn veel schelen
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 16/09/2016 | 14:53 uur
Citaat van: Micheltje op 16/09/2016 | 14:44 uur
Idd het kan op de langere termijn veel schelen

Zeker als je als uitgangspunt hanteert: aanschaf is 30% van de totale kostenpost over een periode van 30 jaar.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Micheltje op 16/09/2016 | 15:16 uur
60 F35 en een stuk of 30 van deze toestellen erbij en je hebt een goede start
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 13/10/2016 | 09:39 uur
Raytheon, Leonardo Tackle 'Disagreement' Over T-X Bid

Lara Seligman and James Drew | Aerospace Daily & Defense Report | Oct 11, 2016

(https://www.defensieforum.nl/Forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Faviationweek.com%2Fsite-files%2Faviationweek.com%2Ffiles%2Fimagecache%2Fmedium_img%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F10%2Ft-x-raytheon.jpg&hash=d7cad783638dd7f16a0bddf65aab4a4e9b8e5cd7)

As the U.S. Air Force prepares to officially kick off the competition for a next-generation T-X trainer, partners Raytheon and Leonardo have run into an eleventh-hour snag in their joint bid for the lucrative 350-aircraft contract.

Raytheon and Leonardo recently had a "disagreement" over certain details in the arrangement, a source familiar with the competition told Aviation Week. Spokesmen for both Raytheon and Leonardo declined to comment on the nature of the disagreement, simply saying the two companies "continue to negotiate" on the final terms of their proposed T-X, the T-100 trainer aircraft.

Although officials would not confirm the details of the ongoing negotiations, it is possible the discussions involve the workshare agreement between the two companies. Raytheon was not originally part of the bid—Leonardo was initially teamed with General Dynamics on the T-100, which is based on Leonardo's existing M-346 trainer design. But General Dynamics withdrew from the bid in March 2015, leaving Leonardo without a crucial U.S. prime contractor. Raytheon announced it was joining the T-100 bid in February.

Under the current teaming arrangement, Raytheon is the prime contractor, while Leonardo will provide the airframe, CAE will design and manufacture simulation equipment, training systems and courseware, and Honeywell Aerospace will provide the aircraft's twin F124 turbofan engines. If selected, the T-100 will be built, tested and fielded in the U.S., company officials have said. But the team still has not chosen a facility for the project.

It is unlikely Leonardo will back out of the competition. Winning the T-X contest is key to Leonardo's ambitions of expanding its footprint into the U.S. aerospace market, Giovanni Soccodato, Leonardo's executive vice president for strategy, marketing and business development, said in a July interview. The two-seat M-346 will give the Air Force the best bang for its buck, Soccodato said, noting that it is already in use with the Israeli, Italian, Polish and Singapore air forces.

"We believe it is really the best value for money, not just the cost of the aircraft, but if you look at the whole of the training capability," Soccodato said. "The reduced time that pilots have to fly on real aircraft and the cost of flying the trainer rather than flying the fighter aircraft, it will be a much more effective and much cheaper, in the end, solution to deliver fifth-generation training."

It is also possible the disagreement is over concerns that the T-100 may not be able to meet the Air Force's stringent performance requirements for T-X, including a maximum g-capability of 8, a sustained g-capability of at least 6.5 and a minimum 20-deg. angle of attack. The Raytheon-Leonardo team has argued the T-100's twin engines offer a safety advantage for student pilots over single-engine aircraft. But the F124 is not as powerful as General Electric's F404, used by all three of the other competitors: both Northrop Grumman's and Boeing-Saab's clean-sheet proposals, as well as Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries' T-50A.

As Raytheon and Leonardo hammer out the details, any delay in formalizing a teaming arrangement could unnerve key suppliers Honeywell and CAE, which are supporting the bid.

The Honeywell F124 turbofan engines are currently produced by the Honeywell/International Turbine Engine Company in Taiwan. But victory for the T-100 would mean turning the lights back on at Honeywell's site in Phoenix, where the F124 was assembled for Israel's Master training fleet up until this year. The F124 and its after-burning derivative, the F125, power the Czech-built Aero L-159 Alca and Taiwanese AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo light combat aircraft.

As the powerplant provider, Honeywell could build as many as 700 new engines in the U.S. if the T-100 is chosen for T-X, and perhaps many more engines if the T-100 attracts international sales or spawns a light-attack derivative. If you count the U.S.-assembled engine and proposed cockpit avionics and large-area display, the T-100 already has significant U.S. content—almost 50% according to Leonardo. The type will also need a boom refueling port or adapter installed.

Meanwhile, CAE has been supplying full-mission simulators for the M-346 since the type's inception, and it has high hopes of winning big under the Raytheon-Leonardo banner to supply the T-X's all-important Ground-Based Training System, which blends live, virtual and constructive elements. If the Raytheon-Leonardo team falls apart, CAE would become a free agent and might seek a last-minute partnership with the other competitors in the race: Boeing, Lockheed or Northrop. It could also compete for future training requirements.

The Canadian firm has faced uphill battles in the past around politicking over foreign ownership and parochial interests to win many important contracts with the U.S. government, and likely feels comfortable partnering on a foreign-made aircraft. The company supplies either flight simulator hardware, training services or both for the Lockheed C-5M, C-130J, KC-130J, P-3C, Sikorsky MH-60R, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9, MQ-1, Airbus UH-72A Lakota, Boeing P-8A, E-3 and KC-135, among others. But many of those projects pale in comparison to the T-X opportunity because of the size of the base order and significant overseas sales interest.

"We understand Raytheon and Leonardo continue to negotiate on terms that would allow the T-100 team to deliver a comprehensive training solution that meets the requirements of the Air Force," a company spokesman said on Oct. 11. "CAE is ready to contribute its proven ground-based training system expertise and experience to a T-100 integrated air training system."

At the T-100 announcement in Washington, CAE Group President Gene Colabatistto said the T-100 would be "very, very competitive," even when pitted against clean-sheet alternatives being offered by Boeing and Northrop. In terms of Raytheon's credibility as a prime contractor, Colabatistto pointed to the company's production of the T-1 Jayhawk and T-6 Texan II through what is now known as Beechcraft, the Wichita-based light aircraft manufacturer now owned by Textron.

The Air Force plans to release the final request for proposals for T-X in December and anticipates a contract award by December 2017. Initial operating capability is expected in 2024. The Air Force will not be able to fully replace all of its aging T-38 trainers with the all 350 new T-X aircraft until 2034—otherwise known as full operational capability—due to budget constraints.

http://aviationweek.com/defense/raytheon-leonardo-tackle-disagreement-over-t-x-bid
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 30/11/2016 | 10:21 uur
Boeing T-X Headed Toward First Flight

The Boeing-Saab T-X trainer is on track to fly by the end of the year after completing afterburner engine runs last week, Boeing officials said. 

Only a few more major tests remain before the plane makes its inaugural flight, said program manager Ted Torgerson during a Nov. 23 interview ahead of Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC).

"We are clicking off all of our test points, we have tested around somewhere around nearly 1,200 test points on the jet on ground tests," he said.

The next test involves putting the plane, engine running, through the motions of a flight — takeoff, climb and landing — with the aircraft tied down to the runway, Torgerson said. The company will also check how the airplane responds to simulated system failures. After that, a Boeing-Saab board will clear the aircraft for flight, and the Federal Aviation Administration will certify it. Finally, the company will conduct low, medium and high speed taxi tests before flying the jet.

"We're looking to fly soon, before the year is over" Tom Conard, the company's T-X capture team leader, reiterated during a Tuesday briefing at I/ITSEC. "And as we're preparing that jet to fly, our flight crews are training in the training system devices to prepare them exactly what they're going to see in the jet."

.../...

"We're going to meet all the requirements and growth provisions for the future," Conard said. "It has no radar, it has no weapons, it is not doing anything except advanced fast jet training."

Asked whether Boeing plans on incorporating such features for potential opportunities currently under discussion by the Air Force — such as an exercise of light attack aircraft that could inform a program of record, or a proposal to hire industry to play the aggressor role in training exercises — Conard demurred.

"We'll look at that after we win T-X," he said. "We've got to win T-X, and then from there we will able to adapt and work in future variants. And I'll leave it at that."

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/boeing-t-x-headed-toward-first-flight
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 15/12/2016 | 09:13 uur
Media Days and Mason Jars: Defense Contractors Promote T-X Offerings as Competition Heats Up

WASHINGTON — Just weeks or perhaps days before the final T-X request for proposals drops, defense contractors are pulling out all the stops to ramp up enthusiasm for their offerings.

With the US Air Force's top three aircraft priorities — the F-35 joint strike fighter, B-21 bomber and KC-46 refueling tanker — all under contract, the T-X trainer is the service's last big aircraft competition on the horizon. Unless a new contender enters the ring, the battle will boil down to two clean-sheet designs — from Northrop Grumman and a Boeing-Saab team — versus two existing airframes put forward by prime contractors Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

The message from the defense firms offering existing designs: "We're ready."

..../....

voor gehele artikel, zie onderstaande LINK
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/media-days-and-mason-jars-defense-contractors-promote-t-x-offerings-as-competition-heats-up
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Jooop op 20/12/2016 | 10:28 uur
Sierra Nevada Corp./TAI Team To Offer Freedom Trainer For T-X
Dec 16, 2016 James Drew | Aviation Week & Space Technology

Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) are betting that the U.S. Air Force is seeking a fuel-efficient advanced pilot trainer to succeed the outdated Northrop T-38 Talon, like the one the companies plan to offer. With the spotlight shining on the major primes until now, the two businesses have quietly set up shop in Centennial, Colorado, as Freedom Aircraft Ventures LLC, to develop a lightweight, all-composite trainer powered by two business jet-class ...

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http://aviationweek.com/site-files/aviationweek.com/files/uploads/2016/12/16/DF-FREEDOMTRAINER_SierraNevadaCorp.jpg
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 21/12/2016 | 10:01 uur
Boeing and Saab complete first T-X flight

20 December, 2016 | SOURCE: Flightglobal.com | BY: Leigh Giangreco | Washington DC

Boeing and Saab's bid for the US Air Force trainer competition took flight from St. Louis, Missouri, on 20 December, demonstrating the clean-sheet design jet's performance for the first time.

During a 55min flight, the twin-engine jet climbed close to 11,000ft and reached speeds up to 230kt, Steve Schmidt, lead T-X test pilot told, reporters Tuesday. Boeing will persevere through the chilly Missouri winter to gather flight performance data for the T-X competition, which the company must deliver by 30 June 2017.

"I think our biggest challenge is we're in St. Louis in the wintertime," Schmidt says. "Other than that, we can get the data we need in the time allotted to submit a proposal. We've had time to plan for it and can execute it."

For both Boeing and Saab, the quick turnaround from design to flight for a production jet is rare, according to Boeing T-X program manager Ted Torgerson. Typically, a company could spend six to eight years developing a jet. With T-X, the team cut that timeline in half.

"We made a commitment to design, develop and fly by the end of 2016 and today we delivered on that promise," Torgerson says. "At this time last year, we were in critical design review. So we went from CDR to first flight in 12 months."

(https://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getasset.aspx?itemid=69226)

Boeing and Saab first revealed its T-X contender to much fanfare in September. The team designed two jets, the second of which is completing ground testing and should fly by early 2017, according to Boeing. The trainer system also includes ground-based trainers and simulation.

The twin, canted tail aircraft is powered by a single 17,700lb-thrust GE Aviation F404-GE-402 with afterburner. The aft cockpit of the two-seater is stepped up to allow the second pilot improved visibility, Torgerson says. The stadium seating is an improved feature from the legacy T-38, he says.

"When we interviewed a lot of instructors flying the current T-38 they didn't like the current visibility to look at the aimpoint on landing," he says. "Now you can see the aim point over the pilot's head."

The team is gunning for the coveted air force contract, which would replaced the service's fleet of more than 400 Northrop T-38s. T-X is slated to reach initial operational capability by 2024 and Boeing estimates the air force will release its final request for proposal by 30 December.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-and-saab-complete-first-t-x-flight-432611/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 21/12/2016 | 10:08 uur
Boeing/SAAB T-X trainer - first flight     ( .. mooi toestel trouwens ..)



Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Ace1 op 21/12/2016 | 19:07 uur
Het kan aan mij liggen maar vindt de Boeing / SAAB TX trainer veel lijken op het Flygsystem 2020.

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http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2015/11/idn-take-obscure-stealth-fighter.html

Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 31/12/2016 | 11:00 uur
US Air Force releases final T-X trainer RFP

30 December, 2016 | SOURCE: Flightglobal Pro | BY: Leigh Giangreco | Washington DC

T-X contenders are off to the races today, after the US Air Force released its much anticipated final request for proposals for the T-38 trainer replacement programme.

The $16.3 billion RFP encompasses a total of 350 aircraft, including delivery of the initial five test aircraft, contract options for LRIP lots 1 and 2 and full-rate production of lots 3 through 11.

The USAF is expected to award the contract in 2017 and reach initial operational capability by the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2024, the service says in a 30 December statement.

The final RFP did not change course from the air force's draft version released in July, which proposed millions of dollars in incentives for contractors who bring forth a trainer aircraft that exceeds the service's outlined performance requirements.

Contractors who offer a trainer with higher sustained G and maneuvering, as well as lower turn-around time, would receive reductions to their total evaluated price. Competitors would receive a $13.2 million decrement to its price for every 0.1G above the threshold of 6.5Gs, and $4.4 million for every 0.1G above 7.0G. The service set a 7.5G ceiling with a maximum $88 million price reduction, according to the draft RFP.

Competition for the T-X programme has been heating up all year, with Boeing's extravagant T-X rollout in September and more recent media days from Lockheed and Raytheon this December. Four competitors will face off for the T-X competition. Boeing and Northrop Grumman have each put forth clean-sheet designs, while Lockheed has opted for the existing T-50A and Raytheon has chosen the the T-100 based on M346 twin-jet design.

With the exception of looming nuclear recapitalisation, the USAF has bitten off most of major acquisition programmes with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the B-21 bomber. That makes those 350 aircraft all the more enticing to competitors. A T-X win could provide a boost for Boeing, which has faltered in the fighter jet market in recent years.

For the USAF, the T-X competition also represents what the service hopes to be a turning point in defense acquisition. The air force spoke with industry for several months before releasing the final RFP, a move that could prevent the kind of contentious protests the service saw following the B-21 bomber contract award.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-air-force-releases-final-t-x-trainer-rfp-432824/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 09/01/2017 | 10:09 uur
Boeing T-X Test Flight 360 Degree Video

Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 25/01/2017 | 19:53 uur
Minus één...

Raytheon, Leonardo End Partnership for T-X Trainer Program

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/raytheon-leonardo-end-partnership-for-t-x-trainer-program?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Breaking%20News%201.25.17&utm_term=Editorial%20-%20Breaking%20News
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Ace1 op 25/01/2017 | 23:22 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 25/01/2017 | 19:53 uur
Minus één...

Raytheon, Leonardo End Partnership for T-X Trainer Program

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/raytheon-leonardo-end-partnership-for-t-x-trainer-program?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Breaking%20News%201.25.17&utm_term=Editorial%20-%20Breaking%20News

Was te verwachten heeft anderen motoren dan de andere kandidaten.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Ronald Elzenga op 25/01/2017 | 23:59 uur
Citaat van: Ace1 op 25/01/2017 | 23:22 uur
Was te verwachten heeft anderen motoren dan de andere kandidaten.
Al overweegt Leonardo nog zelf deel te nemen lees ik. En die kan in Europa voor soortgelijke projecten nog wel interessant zijn lijkt mij.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 26/01/2017 | 07:24 uur
Citaat van: Ronald Elzenga op 25/01/2017 | 23:59 uur
Al overweegt Leonardo nog zelf deel te nemen lees ik. En die kan in Europa voor soortgelijke projecten nog wel interessant zijn lijkt mij.

Alleingang (om maar een populair woord uit een ander topic te gebruiken) door Leonardo in de VS kost allen maar geld en is op voorhand kansloos.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Ronald Elzenga op 26/01/2017 | 09:35 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 26/01/2017 | 07:24 uur
Alleingang (om maar een populair woord uit een ander topic te gebruiken) door Leonardo in de VS kost allen maar geld en is op voorhand kansloos.
Dat denk ik ook ja. Die kan zich beter focussen op andere markten.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Jooop op 26/01/2017 | 09:42 uur
Citaat van: Ronald Elzenga op 25/01/2017 | 23:59 uur
Al overweegt Leonardo nog zelf deel te nemen lees ik. En die kan in Europa voor soortgelijke projecten nog wel interessant zijn lijkt mij.

Ik denk dat dat niet kan, zover ik het weet heeft USA een wet dat het Amerikaanse leger van US companies moet kopen. Dus een joint venture of iets dergelijks kan maar geen aleingang (als het geen Amerikaans bedrijf is)

Dat zie je ook aan de samenwerkings verbanden:

- Boeing met Zweedse Saab
- Lockheed Martin met Koreaanse KAI
- Northrop met Britse BAE
- SNC met Turkse TAI

en Raytheon met Italiaanse Leonardo voor de scheiding
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Ronald Elzenga op 26/01/2017 | 09:45 uur
Citaat van: Jooop op 26/01/2017 | 09:42 uur
Ik denk dat dat niet kan, zover ik het weet heeft USA een wet dat het Amerikaanse leger van US companies moet kopen. Dus een joint venture of iets dergelijks kan maar geen aleingang (als het geen Amerikaans bedrijf is)
Check..duidelijk!
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 27/01/2017 | 10:07 uur
Northrop noncommittal on T-X bid

26 January, 2017 | SOURCE: Flightglobal.com | BY: Leigh Giangreco | Washington DC

Despite spending millions to develop a prototype jet to compete for a $16 billion contract, Northrop Grumman chief executive Wes Bush surprised market analysts on 26 January by striking a noncommittal tone about participating in the competition to replace the US Air Force's Northrop T-38C trainers with more than 300 new aircraft.

"Let me be clear, we have not reached a conclusion," Bush says, addressing analysts on a fourth quarter earnings call.

That statement appeared to throw some analysts off-guard, including one who asked Bush whether request for proposals (RFP) released by the USAF in late-December has led to a price shoot-out among the potential competitors.

"I won't go contract by contract, but there are others where our customer is transmitting the message in their RFP that while cost is critically important, they see a little bit of a trade space between cost, performance and value," he says. "Those tend to be a little bit more interesting."

As the incumbent supplier, Northrop had been one of four teams in a suddenly wide-open competition. On 25 January, Raytheon announced it was withdrawing as the prime contractor for the T-100, leaving Italian aircraft supplier Leonardo scrambling to consider its options weeks away from the bidding deadline. Boeing/Saab and Lockheed Martin/Korea Aerospace Industries also are competing to win the contract, which represents the largest single contract for an advanced military training jet in more than half a century.

The USAF's RFP has placed a major emphasis on reducing the cost and risk of the T-38C's replacement. As a designer of exquisite, high-performance aircraft, including the B-2 and B-21 bombers, Northrop may have to decide if the cost of winning the contract is worth the reward.

"It's more a reflection of the discipline in our company, of looking through the cold, hard lens of what does the RFP tell you and what's the business case look like," Bush says.

Company investments tend to have a broader applicability outside of one competition, he adds. In addition to the T-X competition, Northrop's trainer design also could emerge as a candidate for a low-cost, light attack fighter, which the USAF chief of staff has recently endorsed as a near-term opportunity.

Northrop's Scaled Composites division has developed a prototype, which is registered with the US Federal Aviation Administration as the Model 400.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/northrop-noncommittal-on-t-x-bid-433573/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 27/01/2017 | 10:19 uur
Trainer Price Wars: Raytheon Wanted Millions Less Per Plane Than Leonardo (http://www.defensenews.com/articles/trainer-price-wars-raytheon-wanted-millions-less-per-plane-than-leonardo)

DefenseNews
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 30/01/2017 | 11:27 uur
T-X contenders begin to evaporate   (Raytheon/Leonardo (T100/M346) = OUT, ... Northrop Grumman/BAE (Hawk T2) = heroverweegt .... )

With the request for proposal documents issued in late December for the US Air Force's 350 aircraft T-X programme, Raytheon and Leonardo have decided they will no longer jointly bid on the programme while Northrop Grumman is 'evaluating' whether it will submit a response.

In a statement, Raytheon said that, the 'companies were unable to reach a business agreement that is in the best interest of the US Air Force'.

Leonardo, the manufacturers of the T-100, a variant of its M346 (pictured above), added that the company 'is evaluating how to leverage on the strong capabilities and potential of the T-100, in the best interest of the US Air Force'.

Shephard understands that the conflict between the two partners is centred on manufacturing workshare and where that manufacturing would take place. The tension between the two companies surfaced in mid-2016 and was reflected in the lack of T-100 marketing undertaken at the Air Force Association exhibition last September.

In a joint statement, the companies said that 'in February, 2016 Raytheon and Leonardo announced their intent to team on the T-X pursuit'.

'While we remain confident that the T-100 is a strong solution, our companies were unable to reach a business agreement that is in the best interest of the US Air Force. Consequently, the Raytheon and Leonardo team will not pursue the T-X competition.'

This situation also has an impact on CAE which was to supply the ground based training system (GBTS) for the T-100.

In other T-X news, the status of the Northrop Grumman bid is currently uncertain following a less than positive statement from company CEO, Wesley Bush.

'The T-X RFP was also released at the end of December, so we now have the final terms of that solicitation to evaluate. We are presently assessing the terms presented by that RFP to determine whether we see an appropriate business opportunity for us to submit a bid,' said Bush.

The Northrop Grumman team comprises Scaled Composites, BAE Systems and L3 Link, the latter supplying the GBTS.

The withdrawal of the Raytheon – Leonardo team and the uncertainty of Northrop Grumman as to whether it will respond to the RFP are clearly good news for Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

The chances of Leonardo mounting a successful challenge at this stage without a US industrial partner is unlikely to result in success.

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/training-simulation/t-x-contenders-evaporate/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 01/02/2017 | 16:00 uur
Northrop Grumman Drops Out of T-X Trainer Competition

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/northrop-grumman-drops-out-of-t-x-trainer-competition?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Breaking%20News%202.1.17&utm_term=Editorial%20-%20Breaking%20News
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 01/02/2017 | 16:12 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 01/02/2017 | 16:00 uur
Northrop Grumman Drops Out of T-X Trainer Competition

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/northrop-grumman-drops-out-of-t-x-trainer-competition?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Breaking%20News%202.1.17&utm_term=Editorial%20-%20Breaking%20News

Het moet nu wel heel raar lopen als Boeing niet wint.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 01/02/2017 | 16:48 uur
Citaat van: Sparkplug op 01/02/2017 | 16:12 uur
Het moet nu wel heel raar lopen als Boeing niet wint.

Mee eens...

Nu roep ik dat, op basis van een onder buikgevoel al veel langer, maar dat de concurrentie zo snel afhaakt, dat had ik nog niet bedacht.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Jooop op 01/02/2017 | 17:19 uur
Ik zou SNC niet zomaar aan de kant schuiven, die hebben ook met de dreamchaser voor sensatie gezorgd. Maar Boeing lijkt inderdaad de grootste kanshebber.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Lynxian op 01/02/2017 | 23:31 uur
Citaat van: Jooop op 01/02/2017 | 17:19 uur
Ik zou SNC niet zomaar aan de kant schuiven, die hebben ook met de dreamchaser voor sensatie gezorgd. Maar Boeing lijkt inderdaad de grootste kanshebber.
Ik denk dat je door de war bent? SNC is een bedrijf dat een commercieel ruimteveer (Dreamchaser) bouwt.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Jooop op 02/02/2017 | 00:38 uur
Citaat van: Lynxian op 01/02/2017 | 23:31 uur
Ik denk dat je door de war bent? SNC is een bedrijf dat een commercieel ruimteveer (Dreamchaser) bouwt.

Klopt, maar SNC doet ook mee als een van de drie die een T-X trainer aanbied
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Lynxian op 02/02/2017 | 01:05 uur
Citaat van: Jooop op 02/02/2017 | 00:38 uur
Klopt, maar SNC doet ook mee als een van de drie die een T-X trainer aanbied
Een google leert me dat het hier de freedom fighter betreft. Dan snap ik 'm nu beter, alleen door de vermelding van de dreamchaser was ik door de war. Ik snap nu je punt; het ruimteveer was juist  opzienbarend, dus wellicht dat ze hetzelfde met de trainer zouden kunnen doen.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 06/02/2017 | 10:10 uur
Shifts and Changes in Line-Up of T-X Contenders

The U.S. Air Force's T-X advanced trainer program is one of the biggest prizes in the military aircraft market in the near future. This is due to the scale of the program itself: under the program, the Air Force intends to buy 350 advanced jet trainers to replace its fleet of Northrop T-38Cs. In addition, the winning T-X aircraft will be in a position to become perhaps the leading competitor in the future global market for advanced jet trainers.

While the T-X program has drawn considerable interest from aircraft manufacturers, the line-up of contenders has changed in recent weeks. Leonardo had been teamed with Raytheon to bid the T-100, a version of the former's M-346 advanced trainer, but the U.S. company withdrew from the competition in January 2017.

In the wake of the departure, Leonardo is evaluating its options, including whether to proceed with the bid on its own or perhaps find another U.S. partner. The twin-engine T-100 is powered by Honeywell F124 turbofan engines.

Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems had teamed to jointly propose a clean-sheet design known as the Model 400. However, the two companies have now opted not to pursue the T-X contract.

Meanwhile, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is partnered with Lockheed Martin to propose the T-50A, a variant of KAI's T-50 trainer. Lockheed Martin assisted in development of the original T-50. Two T-50A development aircraft are currently in flight testing; the first took to the air in June 2016 and the second joined the flight test effort the following month. These two aircraft were produced by KAI in South Korea.

However, if the T-50A is chosen for the T-X contract, final assembly of aircraft for the program would occur at Lockheed Martin's facility in Greenville, South Carolina. Major components, such as the wings and fuselage, would continue to be produced in South Korea. General Electric supplies its F404-GE-102 turbofan engine for the single-engine T-50A.

Boeing and Saab are jointly proposing an all-new, clean-sheet design for the T-X program. The two companies have already built two examples of the new aircraft, unveiling them in September 2016. The first of these aircraft made its initial flight in December 2016. Designed expressly for the USAF program, the Boeing/Saab aircraft features twin tails, a shoulder-mounted wing, and a single F404-GE-102 engine. Boeing is building development aircraft in St. Louis; the company intends to build production aircraft at a yet-to-be-determined location in the U.S. Some portions of the aircraft are manufactured in Sweden by Saab.

A clean-sheet design is also being proposed by Colorado-based Freedom Aircraft Ventures LLC, a joint venture of Sierra Nevada Corp (SNC) and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). Dubbed the Freedom Trainer, the twin-tail, swept-wing aircraft is powered by a pair of Williams FJ44-4M turbofan engines.

Contract award for the T-X program may occur in the second half of 2017 or early 2018. Initial Operational Capability is slated for FY24, with Full Operational Capability in FY34. These plans are heavily dependent on funding availability and prioritization, and delays are certainly possible.

The market potential of the selected T-X aircraft extends beyond the Air Force's 350-unit advanced trainer buy. The USAF imprimatur will make the T-X winner a very strong contender for sales on the worldwide advanced jet trainer market.

In addition, the T-X design could be adapted for use as a light attack aircraft, thus opening up that market to the winning aircraft as well. Indeed, a light attack version of the aircraft could be a contender for a possible USAF acquisition to partially replace the A-10 in the close air support role.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/180820/shifts-and-changes-in-line_up-of-t_x-contenders.html
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 06/02/2017 | 11:27 uur
Stavatti Aerospace unveils new Javelin military jet trainer for USAF T-X Competition  (... nieuwe deelnemer ?? ...)

(https://www.defensieforum.nl/Forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdefence-blog.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F02%2FStavatti-Javelin-Roll-Out-SW-696x522.jpg&hash=42b88beebe6724f854bde06fab3dbefac22d8771)
(https://www.defensieforum.nl/Forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.gizmag.com%2Fgallery_lrg%2F4154_15060572214.jpg&hash=b5b40ee6d9de385c01373b181c52d7c9ff6f25f3)

Stavatti Aerospace is entering the Javelin into the USAF Advanced Pilot Training Program (T-X) competition.

The Stavatti Javelin is a new twin-engine, two-seat, high performance military jet trainer and Very Light Fighter (VLF) aircraft. Derived from the ATG Javelin Mk-30, the Javelin will be a candidate for the USAF T-X trainer requirement, as well as a trainer and VLF that can be sold to allied air forces worldwide.

The Javelin project began in 1998 with the formation of Aviation Technology Group (ATG) in Englewood, Colorado. Intended as a two-seat civil jet sportplane, the original ATG-1 Javelin mockup was unveiled and displayed at the NBAA convention in 2002. With orders for 151 aircraft by 2003, in 2004 ATG announced a partnership with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) to develop and produce a family of two seat military jet trainers designated the Javelin Mk-20 and Mk-30. The prototype Javelin had its maiden flight on 30 September 2005. In December 2007 ATG ceased business operations after failing to raise additional development capital, ultimately declaring bankruptcy in 2008.

On 14 November 2016 Stavatti Aerospace Ltd was granted an Exclusive License to re-imagine, develop, prototype, certify, manufacture, sell, and support the Javelin as an Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) and VLF from the present owner of the Javelin project's intellectual property and physical assets.

Upon execution of the licensing agreement, Stavatti immediately began redesigning the Mk-30 Javelin configuration to directly address the current USAF T-X RFP requirements as issued on 31 December 2016. The Stavatti Javelin maintains many exterior characteristics of the original Javelin design but benefits from structural improvements to increase maximum load factor to 9-Gs, more powerful engines, greater internal fuel capacity, increased maximum external warload, higher maximum takeoff weight, a cockpit designed for the T-X mission that satisfies JPATs flight crew accommodation cases 1-8, and a maximum level speed of Mach 1.36. The result is a very affordable, next generation supersonic trainer.

Stavatti is now building the Javelin Industry Team and may partner with a larger prime contractor to expand the Javelin program's ability to provide comprehensive manufacturing, training, and contractor logistical support to satisfy T-X requirements.

Stavatti will be releasing technical information regarding the reimagined Javelin beginning March 1st followed by a formal response to the USAF T-X RFP on March 30th.

http://defence-blog.com/news/stavatti-aerospace-unveils-new-javelin-military-jet-trainer-for-usaf-t-x-competition.html

Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Jooop op 06/02/2017 | 11:40 uur
Allemaal erg mooie kisten, vooral de Javelin ziet er fast and furious uit
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Jooop op 06/02/2017 | 12:30 uur
(https://www.defensieforum.nl/Forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fj8YBgyG.jpg&hash=06f3080e137e75cb97d587f221327216e81c71ff)
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: DvdW op 06/02/2017 | 23:00 uur
Wauw, plaatjes....
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 08/02/2017 | 18:47 uur
Leonardo goes it alone in T-X bid

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/leonardo-goes-it-alone-on-tx-bid
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 08/02/2017 | 22:57 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 08/02/2017 | 18:47 uur
Leonardo goes it alone in T-X bid


Zonde van de inspanning en het geld... kansloos!
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 28/02/2017 | 10:00 uur
The T-X battle comes down to Lockheed and Boeing

WASHINGTON — With U.S. President Donald Trump's attention fixed on the F-35 and Air Force One, the Air Force's biggest ongoing aircraft competition so far has gone untouched. But even without Trump's intervention, the T-X race has evolved into something not unlike an episode of a reality TV show, featuring industry teams breaking up, companies unexpectedly dropping out and upstart entries coming in at the last minute.

The T-X program began with four main competitors: Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman — which developed a new prototype — and a Raytheon-Leonardo team offering the latter firm's M-346. Over the past couple of months, Northrop has pulled out of the competition, Raytheon dissolved its partnership with Leonardo — leaving the Italian firm to ally with its US wing, DRS Technologies — and several smaller companies, including Sierra Nevada and the nigh-unknown Stavatti Aerospace, decided to throw their designs into the ring. 

Analysts tell Defense News that the drama overshadows the most important point: The competition has become a face-off between Boeing's clean-sheet T-X design and the Lockheed Martin-Korean Aerospace Industries' T-50A, the US derivative of a trainer flown by the South Korean, Iraqi, Philippine and Indonesian militaries.

.../...

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/the-t-x-battle-comes-down-to-lockheed-and-boeing
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 15/03/2017 | 08:22 uur
Textron AirLand to forgo T-X bid with Scorpion jet

Textron Airland has officially decided against offering its Scorpion jet for the Air Force's T-X trainer competition, ending speculation about whether the aircraft would emerge as a dark horse candidate.

"We certainly believe the Scorpion can fit a good training role, not only for the U.S. Air Force but around the world, but with the requirements that had been put out there for the T-X, we don't believe the Scorpion fits all the requirements," said Bill Harris, the company's vice president of Scorpion jet sales.

Textron told Defense News in early 2016 that it would probably not pursue the T-X contract unless the Air Force changed its requirements to be less demanding. However, earlier this winter, company officials stated that they had not ruled out a T-X bid and were assessing the final request for proposals.

Harris explained Textron wanted to take a second look at the requirements to evaluate whether Scorpion could fit the service's needs, but the jet had trouble meeting some of the Air Force's more aggressive performance characteristics, including a high G threshold of 6.5 — the Scorpion can achieve 6 Gs.

"It basically was very close to what you would see in an F-16 Block 50 aircraft," he said. "We went over it and over it, and it became clear that we weren't going to meet these aggressive performance standards."

That leaves five teams still in the ring to fight over the $16 billion contract:
- Boeing and Saab's clean-sheet design,
- Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries modified T-50,
- Leonardo DRS's T-100,
- Sierra Nevada Corp and Turkish Aerospace Industries' newly designed Freedom Trainer,
- Stavatti Aerospace's Javelin concept.

.../...

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/textron-airland-to-forgo-t-x-bid-for-scorpion-jet
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 30/03/2017 | 11:21 uur
Boeing/SAAB T-X trainer - Afterburner Takeoff, On a Roll 


Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 31/03/2017 | 08:25 uur
Leonardo to built T-X offer in Alabama

Leonardo on Thursday announced plans to build a new aircraft manufacturing facility in Alabama to produce its T-100 integrated jet training system if it comes out winning the T-X competition. The company selected Moton Field Municipal Airport in Tuskegee for the new aircraft manufacturing site and final assembly line 'because of the available local workforce and resources, plus the exisiting airfield infrastructure.

Leonardo earlier this year selected its US-based affiliate Leonardo DRS at the prime contractor for the T-X bid. Production of Leonardo's T-100 jet trainer will have to take place in the US in order to have a chance at winning the valuable T-X contract. Under this contract, the Pentagon is to buy over 300 new jet trainers for the US Air Force, which will replace many dozens of old T-38 Talon trainers.

The T-100 is based on the M-346 Master, a jet Airheadsfly.com got to know from the inside last year.  The M-346's twin Honeywell F124 turbofan engines will also power the T-100 and will be built in Phoenix, Arizona.

The T-100 features an embedded training system, fifth-generation cockpit, open system architecture and in-flight refuelling capability and is designed to receive mission-focused next-generation enhancements to meet the requirements set by the U.S. Air Force.

Competitors have until 31 March to actual hand in their proposals. Boeing reported it has already delivered its proposal, while Leonardo now appears to have done the same. No doubt Lockheed Martin will follow with their offer.

http://airheadsfly.com/2017/03/30/leonardo-to-built-t-x-offer-in-alabama/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 31/03/2017 | 08:37 uur
Boeing first out of blocks with T-X proposal

Boeing has become the first competitor to submit to the US Air Force (USAF) its proposal for the service's fighter trainer replacement programme (T-X), the company announced on 30 March.

In a tweet stating it was 'turning up the heat!", Boeing said it had submitted its proposal for the USAF's Advanced Pilot Training (APT) Family of Systems (FoS) programme, as T-X is officially known, early. No further details were disclosed.

Developed with Saab, the clean-sheet Boeing offering for T-X is a twin-seat single-engined platform that features a 'glass' cockpit modelled to resemble that of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, and an open systems architecture. It appears to incorporate elements from both the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the Saab Gripen combat aircraft. Dubbed BTX, the aircraft's first flight was conducted out of Boeing's St Louis facility in Missouri on 20 December 2016.

With Boeing's submission now with the USAF, pitches from the other competitors are expected in the coming days. Besides Boeing and Saab, the T-X requirement is being competed by Lockheed Martin and Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) with the T-50A (a derivative of the T-50 Golden Eagle), and by Leonardo DRS with the T-100 (a derivative of the M-346 Master). A team comprising Sierra Nevada Corporation and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is also reported to be developing a clean-sheet design, while US company Stavatti says it will offer its Javelin clean-sheet design.

Textron has discounted its Scorpion jet, which was previously rumoured to be a possible contender, while on 1 February the Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems team announced that it would not compete for the requirement, despite having been photographed testing its Model 400 clean-sheet design in August last year.

http://www.janes.com/article/69148/boeing-first-out-of-blocks-with-t-x-proposal
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 25/04/2017 | 09:53 uur
Second Boeing T-X Aircraft Takes Flight

ST. LOUIS, April 24, 2017 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] and partner Saab [Stockholm: SAABB] have completed the first flight of their second production-ready T-X aircraft, which is identical to the first and designed specifically for the U.S. Air Force advanced pilot training requirement.

During the one-hour flight, lead T-X Test Pilot Steve Schmidt and Boeing Test Pilot for Air Force Programs Matt Giese validated key aspects of the aircraft and further demonstrated the low-risk and performance of the design, proving its repeatability in manufacturing.

"The jet handled exactly like the first aircraft and the simulator, meeting all expectations," said Giese. "The front and back cockpits work together seamlessly and the handling is superior. It's the perfect aircraft for training future generations of combat pilots."

Both pilots trained for the flight using the complete Boeing T-X system, which includes ground-based training and simulation.

"Our successful flight test program is a testament to the fact that our offering is the right choice for the U.S. Air Force," said Schmidt. "This aircraft was built to Air Force requirements and designed to fulfill the Air Education and Training Command mission."

The Boeing T-X aircraft has one engine, twin tails, stadium seating, and an advanced cockpit with embedded training. The all-new, purpose-built design offers flexibility to evolve as technology, missions, and training needs change.

Boeing and Saab revealed their design in September 2016 and flew the first aircraft last December.

T-X will replace the Air Force's aging T-38 aircraft. Initial operating capability is planned for 2024.

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2017-04-24-Second-Boeing-T-X-Aircraft-Takes-Flight#assets_117

mooi film over de Boeing T-X :
http://www.boeing.com/defense/t-x#/video-player/boeing-t-x-the-right-choice-for-the-u-s-air-force
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 26/04/2017 | 10:17 uur
Leonardo DRS T-100 is already training F-35 pilots

The Leonardo DRS T-100 is an advanced variant of the M-346 trainer, a globally proven training jet for air forces around the world.  Today, the aircraft is actively training pilots to fly the F-35 for the Netherlands, Israel and Italy.  Additionally, the M-346 is training side-by-side with the F-35 in Italy.

In open government procurement bids, the T-100 has been awarded four of five international programs against the current T-X competition.  It has been selected by Poland, Singapore, U.A.E. and Israel   It has logged more than 18,500 training sorties with more than 30 aircraft for the Israeli Air Force.

Complete with a superior live, virtual constructive (LVC) training system, the T-100 has the most advanced, customer-proven, fully integrated training program in use today.  The ground-based training system connects with a state-of-the-art aircraft cockpit-embedded processor that is able to simultaneously link a number of aircraft and ground-based simulators for smooth, multi-pilot training.  This LVC system is specifically called for the in the Air Force R.F.P., and the M-346 training system has long used this to train pilots around the world. The seamless training environment requires less time and effort to qualify for combat readiness.

The T-100 Integrated Training System is a proven, low-cost, low risk, fifth-generation pilot training solution for the U.S. Air Force T-X program, and it is ready now.  It will be built in the United States in a new manufacturing facility in Tuskegee, Alabama.

http://defence-blog.com/news/leonardo-drs-t-100-is-already-training-f-35-pilots.html

M-346 is training side-by-side with the F-35 in Italy
(https://www.defensieforum.nl/Forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdefence-blog.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F04%2FT-100-with-F-35-696x522.jpg&hash=8bf59a3eed3275bd009ebfeab22a6ed681ebb4d0)
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Ace1 op 01/05/2017 | 22:45 uur
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 09/05/2017 | 10:45 uur
Swedish air force interested in Boeing-Saab trainer jet, but probably not other T-X options (http://www.defensenews.com/articles/swedish-air-force-interested-in-boeing-saab-trainer-jet-but-probably-not-other-t-x-options)

DefenseNews
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Ace1 op 15/05/2017 | 18:46 uur
Boeing-Saab victory in T-X competition would bring work to St. Louis production line

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/boeing-saab-victory-in-t-x-competition-would-bring-work-to-st-louis-production-line
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 23/05/2017 | 11:11 uur
Boeing Details T-X

At its annual media trip, Boeing presented its T-X solution for the US Air Force (USAF) trainer of the future. The company is very proud that it took only 36 month from the start of planning until the first flight. Boeing's main partner, responsible for the fuselage, is Saab.

All tests are done by industry, following the requirements and guideline book of the USAF. At the end, all test data has to be handed over to the USAF on 28 June 2017. Boeing built two of T-X demonstrators, BT-X1 and BT-X2, which are equal. These are more than just demonstrators, though, as they are series ready, Boeing pointed out. "They could be handed over tomorrow," one Boeing official said. If Boeing wins the tender, production will take place at Boeing's St. Louis, MI/USA facility, expected to support approximately 1,800 jobs in the region. Story here.

The cockpit is reconfigurable and offers a growth capability. As to who will provide the cockpit, Boeing stayed mum, i.e. did not disclose any information. It is offering a great field of view for both seats, and can be used by small and large personnel. Another built-in option is air-refuelling. As part of the concept, the T-X can also go supersonic with its afterburner, which is not an USAF requirement. "Boeing is meeting all the requirements," the official said. No other capabilities were disclosed.

Looking into the future, the T-X could be also the future trainer for the US Navy or other nations, as well as a light fighter. The aircraft has the possibility/growth capability of hard points, e.g. for sensors or weapons. These are no requirements stated by USAF, but gives industry better export chances. This is the first time in the US that  industry had to pay for design and production by themselves. There has not been an USAF order for the demonstrators this time, just requirements. In the end, 351 jets could be ordered, but Boeing thinks there is an opportunity for 2,000+ in the world.

http://www.monch.com/mpg/news/11-air/1482-boeing-tx.html

(https://www.defensieforum.nl/Forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.monch.com%2Fmpg%2Fimages%2Fnews%2F17-5%2Fboeing-tx%2F20170517_175422.png&hash=f43f78d2fcf9cf6f6d6e26e4f2d8f7f5a0ef7e4e)
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 01/06/2017 | 15:27 uur
Who Will Power the T-X Trainer? Play the Percentages

The T-X competition is receiving a lot of attention in the aviation world. Such a lucrative contract—350 aircraft and further orders likely—promises a heated contest, with the triumphs and upsets a competition of this scale brings. The contending entrants are impressive and include both clean-sheet and current production models.

While the designers – Boeing/Saab, Lockheed Martin/KAI, Leonardo, Sierra Nevada/TAI, and Stavatti – prepare for the impending battle, it's worth a look at the engines that will power the aircraft.

While the airframe manufacturers are globe-spanning enterprises, the builders of the engines that power the aircraft are all U.S.-based. Two of these, Williams International and General Electric, have an equal chance of being part of the winning package, based on sheer percentages alone: each company produces engines for two of the planes under consideration. The third engine manufacturer, Honeywell, enters the arena with a popular, proven design.

Despite powering only one of the aircraft, Honeywell has a fighting chance, as its engine is fitted to the T-100. Based on the successful Leonardo M-346, an aircraft in service with many countries, the T-100 is to be fitted with two F124 engines. The engine is familiar, in Taiwan especially, thanks to its afterburning cousin, the F125, which powers the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo. The dual-engine model joins similar aircraft powered by Williams International.

A pair of Williams FJ44s will power the Sierra Nevada/TAI Freedom Trainer, a clean-sheet design which has yet to fly. The Stavatti entrant, based on the ATG Javelin, will presumably be powered with the two Williams FJ33 engines that powered the Javelin. Williams International's bailiwick is lightweight, fuel-efficient turbofans, many of which equip light business jets, cruise missiles, and drones, but their engines are not unknown to trainer aircraft. In fact, a Williams International engine powers the Leonardo M-345HET. Still, despite favorable odds, the Williams-powered aircraft face stiff competition.

General Electric F404 engines power both the Boeing/Saab T-X and the Lockheed Martin/KAI T-50. The F404 is no stranger to military aircraft: its platforms include the Saab Gripen and legacy Boeing F/A-18s. Unlike the other entrants, both the T-X and T-50 are single-engine models. The F404s feature afterburners, something the Honeywell and Williams International engines lack. The T-X and T-50 match-up will likely provide excitement, as Boeing and Lockheed Martin rivalries run deep.

The T-X competition has the potential to become legendary, as entrants vie for the profitable contract. Training men and women in the art of flying fast jets, the T-X has a crucial role to fill. Look for the trainer finally selected to begin operations in the early to mid-2020s.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/184120/who-will-power-the-t_x-trainer%3F-play-the-percentages.html
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 15/06/2017 | 14:44 uur
The Italian M-346 Fighter Pilot Trainer Is Almost Undefeated

Leonardo's entry in the U.S. Air Force's jet trainer competition has a solid record

Italian aerospace conglomerate Leonardo submitted its bid for the U.S. Air Force's T-X advanced jet trainer program in March 2017. The company will submit its flight data for its T-100 aircraft—a derivative of the M-346 Master advanced jet trainer—by the end of this month. Leonardo is going head-to-head against Lockheed Martin's T-50A and a new Boeing design that was custom designed for the Air Force contest.

"We feel good about the proposal," Bill Lynn, chief executive officer for Leonardo DRS—the American subsidiary of the Italian giant—told me in his office in Arlington, Virginia.

"We have been the most successful internationally."

Lynn noted that the M-346 is already training future F-35 pilots in Israel, and it's in service with the Italian air force, which will use it to train its future Joint Strike Fighter pilots.

Indeed, the M-346 has won four out of the five international trainer contests it has been submitted into—defeating the South Korean-developed T-50 on more than one occasion.

The wild card this time round is Boeing's new entrant, which the M-346 has never faced-off against before.

One of the Leonardo's key strengths in Lynn's estimation is the company's integrated training approach. Leonardo's T-100/M-346 design pioneered the integrated training system, which has been adopted by other manufacturers, but the Italian company was the first.

"That's one of the real differentiators," Lynn said.

Leonardo's submission to the U.S. Air Force's T-X program involves more than just the aircraft.  The company is partnering with Honeywell to supply the engines, but more importantly, it is teaming with CAE to build the T-100's ground-based training system.

"We have—I think—the kind of system that the Air Force is looking for, which is something that is not only an aircraft, but integrated a ground-based training system and has a fluency between the two," Lynn said.

As the T-X competition has evolved, the program has become a price shootout according to most industry observers.

Indeed, Northrop Grumman—which had designed a new clean sheet design for the T-X competition—dropped out of the program after deciding that it was not worth its effort to submit a bid. Lockheed and Boeing remain in the competition, but Raytheon—Leonardo's former partner in the T-100 venture—declined to submit a bid.

Thus, the Italian company decided to submit a bid on its own using a "lean" structure to minimize costs.

"We think we're well positioned to offer the Air Force a very good price for this system," Lynn said.

One of the potential challenges for Leonardo, even though the T-100 is a mature design—is that it is a foreign company. But while the T-100 design might be of foreign origin, the aircraft will be assembled in Tuskegee, Alabama, where Leonardo plans to build a new factory. The plant would directly employ 750 people, but additional American jobs would be created because many of the subsystems are of U.S. origin.

CAE USA will build the ground-based training system in Florida while the jet's twin Honeywell F124-GA-200 engines are built in Arizona. Thus, while the T-100 might have been designed in Italy, it will be largely built in the United States.

"The plane will be built in America," Lynn said. "It will be very American."

The Air Force will likely select a winner for the T-X program by the end of the year. The initial contract will be for 350 aircraft worth roughly $16 billion, however that is just the initial buy. The Air Force—which will use the T-X to replace its Northrop T-38C Talons—has to replace more than just 350 aircraft. Moreover, once the U.S. Air Force adopts the T-X, other air arms around the world are likely to adopt the new trainer.

"I think there is a reasonable chance that the Air Force might buy more and there is a very, very high probability that you would have substantial numbers of international sales," Lynn said.

"That's one of the reasons this competition is getting so much attention."

Lynn estimates that if Leonardo wins the contract, it could sell as many as 1000 T-100 aircraft worldwide. Thus, it is a potentially very lucrative prize.

https://warisboring.com/the-italian-m-346-fighter-pilot-trainer-is-almost-undefeated/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 18/06/2017 | 10:31 uur
PARIS: USAF trainer competition heats up

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-usaf-trainer-competition-heats-up-438159/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 19/06/2017 | 19:17 uur
Mega stakes as defense companies face deadline on Air Force trainer bid

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/article/2626198 via @dcexaminer
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 19/06/2017 | 21:22 uur
PARIS: Leonardo touts operational pedigree of T-100 for T-X (https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-leonardo-touts-operational-pedigree-of-t-100-438436/)

FlightGlobal
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 04/09/2017 | 10:33 uur
US Air Force secretary names T-X trainer contract, new hires as potential CR victims  ( .. nog geen keuze gemaakt... het probleem ... GEEN geld ... )

WASHINGTON ― The contract award for the U.S. Air Force's new trainer, as well as an influx of new pilots and cyber experts, are at risk if Congress funds the Pentagon through a long continuing resolution, according to Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson.

During an Aug. 31 joint interview with Defense News and Air Force Times, Wilson said the T-X contract award is one of the many programs that would likely be delayed under a CR, which funds the government at previous fiscal year levels.

The T-X is the Air Force's next big contract, with the long competition for the right to produce 350 next-generation trainer aircraft finally expected to conclude before the end of the year. Boeing-Saab, Lockheed Martin-KAI, and Leonardo are the final three competitors for the T-X design.

Asked if the service could still name a winner for T-X while delaying an actual contract, Wilson indicated that wouldn't be happening, saying, "Well, what's the point? We don't have the money to be able to do it, so you end up delaying a lot of new starts."

Another concern for Wilson is the impact a CR would have on the service's attempts to plus- up pilot numbers and increase the number of cyber experts in the service.

"You probably have a hard freeze, if not a chill, on hiring," Wilson said. "We're trying to hire people in cyber, in training. We're trying to increase the number of pilots we're putting through pilot training. ... This becomes very quickly an extremely difficult problem."

In theory, that could potentially harm the service's chances of getting exemptions for big programs like the T-X. Under a CR, the services can request Congress to create special allowances for vital programs to be funded, but those are typically few and far between.

Wilson also is cocerned that the number of major issues going on in the world right now, including the standoff with North Korea and the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, could divert the attention of members of Congress at a time when they need to be making big decisions about how to fund the military.

.../...

http://www.defensenews.com/air/2017/09/01/secaf-t-x-trainer-contract-new-hires-could-be-among-cr-victims/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 20/09/2017 | 09:09 uur
If CR persists, Air Force could announce T-X winner ahead of contract award

If a continuing resolution extends past December, the Air Force may consider choosing a winner for the T-X program while deferring the actual award, the service's uniformed head of acquisition said Tuesday.

The service plans to award a contract for the T-X trainer program by the end of the calendar year. However, if the current continuing resolution — which runs until Dec. 8 and prohibits new programs from starting — is extended past into 2018, the service may have to reevaluate its options, said Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, the Air Force's uniformed head of acquisition.

"We will look at options to see if we can award with a delayed start. There are ways, we have done it before, when you award a contract and you delay the start of the contract for a few months," he said at the Air Force Association's annual conference.

.../...

http://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/air-force-association/2017/09/19/if-cr-persists-air-force-could-announce-t-x-winner-ahead-of-contract-award/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 16/10/2017 | 19:08 uur
T-X trainer award not likely until at least spring 2018 (https://www.defensenews.com/air/2017/10/16/t-x-trainer-award-not-likely-until-at-least-spring-2018/)

DefenseNews
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 04/12/2017 | 09:24 uur
KAI adjusting price of T-50A to win T-X bid

The new CEO of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) told reporters that the company is seeking to make adjustments to the price of the T-50A advanced jet trainer to win the U.S. Air Force T-X competition.

"It's a life or death opportunity for KAI and we have been making efforts by transforming the management and cutting costs including labor costs", Kim Jo-won said.

Lees meer via http://alert5.com/2017/12/04/kai-adjusting-price-of-t-50a-to-win-t-x-bid/#KPEOos1MqUj7Vbvk.99

Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 18/12/2017 | 10:06 uur
Italian pilot school achievements may benefit American T-X trainer program

A pilot school in Italy built around the M-346 jet trainer and advanced simulators — both on the ground and in the aircraft — will reach its full potential early next year, according to officials, who hope the achievement will boost the M-346's chances in the U.S. T-X trainer contest.

With three more aircraft arriving in January, the Italian Air Force base at Lecce, southern Italy, will reach its full complement of 18 M-346s, allowing about 40 students to graduate annually from Phase IV courses before they shift to fighter squadrons.

"With the aircraft and simulators up and running, we will be at 100 percent," base commander Col. Luigi Casali said.

Since the M-346 debuted at the school in 2014, 15 instructors have qualified to teach pilots to fly the aircraft and 13 are now training, said Casali. By mid-2018, the number of qualified instructors will rise to 18, including instructors from Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, France, Spain and the U.S.

.../...

https://www.defensenews.com/training-sim/2017/12/15/italian-pilot-school-achievements-may-benefit-american-t-x-trainer-program/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 23/02/2018 | 08:30 uur
T-X to replace T-38 at pilot training bases    ( contract voor eerste nieuwe trainers in 2018, levering van eerste toestellen in 2022 )

JB San Antonio-Randolph preferred location for first T-X unit

WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The Air Force announced Feb. 21, 2018, that the Advanced Pilot Trainer (T-X) will replace T-38C Talon aircraft at existing undergraduate pilot training bases, with Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, named as the preferred location for the first T-X aircraft scheduled to arrive in 2022.

The other locations include Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi; Laughlin AFB, Texas; Sheppard AFB, Texas; and Vance AFB, Oklahoma.

Current pilot training installations rely on a unique runway structure and special-use airspace capable of supporting high volume pilot training which makes them ideal for the new aircraft.

"As we bring the T-X training aircraft into service, we'll base them at our current undergraduate pilot training bases which have the airspace and runways needed for the mission," said Secretary of the Air Force Heather A. Wilson.

The new trainer will provide student pilots with the skills and competencies required to transition into 4th and 5thgeneration fighter aircraft.

"We need the T-X program to properly train our pilots to fly our growing fleet of 5th generation aircraft," said Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein. "This new training capability will enable pilots to receive realistic training in a system similar to our fielded fighters."

Basing the T-X at JB San Antonio-Randolph first, home to Air Force instructor pilot training, is an essential step to establishing a T-X instructor pilot pipeline and sets the conditions to transition to T-X training at the other flying training locations.

The Air Force will now begin the required environmental analyses at all of the existing undergraduate pilot locations. Final basing decisions are dependent on the outcome of the environmental analyses.

The Air Force expects to award a contract for the new aircraft in 2018, with the first aircraft expected to arrive at JB San Antonio-Randolph as early as 2022.

http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1447116/t-x-to-replace-t-38-at-pilot-training-bases/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 23/02/2018 | 09:35 uur
http://www.boeing.com/defense/t-x?utm_source=breakdef&utm_medium=adbanner&utm_campaign=2018%20bds%20t-x&utm_content=creative

( nee, ik heb geen aandelen..  ;) ... maar wel een mooi toestel  :big-smile: )

bij onderstaande foto, krijg ik weer het beeld voor me van de F-104, met de cockpitdak dat zijwaards scharniert, de neus en onderstelvorm, alleen geen T staart... 

(https://www.defensieforum.nl/Forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.boeing.com%2Fresources%2Fboeingdotcom%2Fhome%2FBoeing-T-X-another-great-day-to-fly-1280x720.jpg&hash=bf393b66caab20295a454dcb58b3ebafbe4ea2d0)
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 23/02/2018 | 10:18 uur
Citaat van: Harald op 23/02/2018 | 09:35 uur
http://www.boeing.com/defense/t-x?utm_source=breakdef&utm_medium=adbanner&utm_campaign=2018%20bds%20t-x&utm_content=creative

( nee, ik heb geen aandelen..  ;) ... maar wel een mooi toestel  :big-smile: )


Ik denk ook nog steeds dat dit de winnaar wordt van de competitie, niet vanwege de looks (speelt ook mee) maar zeker om industrieel politieke redenen.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 23/02/2018 | 10:44 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 23/02/2018 | 10:18 uur
Ik denk ook nog steeds dat dit de winnaar wordt van de competitie, niet vanwege de looks (speelt ook mee) maar zeker om industrieel politieke redenen.

We zullen het dit jaar weten wat de keuze zal gaan worden.. ik ben erg benieuwd

Al heeft de Boeing/Saab mijn voorkeur, maar vindt de M346 ook interessant, zeker voor NL ... (mogelijkheid voor bewapening, in bestaand ontwerp), maar goed daar hebben de Amerikanen natuurlijk lak aan.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 31/05/2018 | 13:31 uur
US Air Force UH-1N, T-X programmes set for FY 2018 contract awards

The US Air Force (USAF) is set to award contracts in fiscal year 2018 (FY 2018) for its T-X next-generation trainer aircraft and UH-1N helicopter replacement programmes.

USAF Secretary Heather Wilson said on 29 May that T-X is slated for a contract award by August. The programme, currently in source selection, is valued at roughly USD1 billion for 350 aircraft. FY 2018 ends 30 September.

Boeing and Saab AB teamed to offer a clean sheet aircraft with Triumph Group providing the wing, vertical tail, and horizontal tail structures. Lockheed Martin teamed with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to offer KAI's T-50A.

http://www.janes.com/article/80473/us-air-force-uh-1n-t-x-programmes-set-for-fy-2018-contract-awards
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 20/07/2018 | 19:58 uur
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 29/08/2018 | 09:12 uur
When you should expect the Air Force to announce its next trainer aircraft

With the U.S. Air Force having received final bids from industry, the service is now poised to award a contract for its 350-plane next-generation trainer fleet in just a few weeks.

An Air Force official, speaking on background, said the service expects to award the contract by the end of the fiscal year — in other words, before Sept. 30. Many have speculated that the days before the Air Force Association's annual conference, being held Sept. 17-19 outside of Washington, would be a potential time for an announcement to come.

.../...

Three industry teams have submitted bids for the T-X competition, with an estimated price tag of $16 billion over the life of the program.
1) Boeing and Swedish aerospace firm Saab have developed a new, clean-sheet design;
2) Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries are offering the T-50A, a take on KAI's T-50 jet trainer; and
3) Leonardo DRS is offering the T-100, a modified version of the Italian aerospace company's M-346.

.../...

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/08/28/when-you-should-expect-the-air-force-to-announce-its-next-trainer-aircraft/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 27/09/2018 | 22:42 uur
Air Force awards $9B contract to Boeing for next training jet

https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2018/09/27/reuters-air-force-awards-9b-contract-to-boeing-for-next-training-jet/#.W60_6vbKRok.twitter
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 27/09/2018 | 22:46 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 27/09/2018 | 22:42 uur
Air Force awards $9B contract to Boeing for next training jet

https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2018/09/27/reuters-air-force-awards-9b-contract-to-boeing-for-next-training-jet/#.W60_6vbKRok.twitter
Ooooo jaaeeee....  :big-smile:
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Parera op 27/09/2018 | 23:27 uur
Citaat van: Harald op 27/09/2018 | 22:46 uur
Ooooo jaaeeee....  :big-smile:


Dat is een flinke boost voor Saab's omzet en ook het aanzien van dat kleine bedrijfje dat 1 fighter ontwikkeld.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 27/09/2018 | 23:46 uur
Citaat van: Parera op 27/09/2018 | 23:27 uur

Dat is een flinke boost voor Saab's omzet en ook het aanzien van dat kleine bedrijfje dat 1 fighter ontwikkeld.
Ik ben ook benieuwd of deze trainer versie nog wordt door ontwikkeld, upgraded naar een light fighter / attack toestel, net zoiets als de nf-5
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Lynxian op 28/09/2018 | 00:04 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 27/09/2018 | 22:42 uur
Air Force awards $9B contract to Boeing for next training jet

https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2018/09/27/reuters-air-force-awards-9b-contract-to-boeing-for-next-training-jet/#.W60_6vbKRok.twitter
Ah, erg goed nieuws voor Boeing maar met name Saab! Fijn om een groot succes te zien voor dit Europese merk!  :big-smile:
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Parera op 28/09/2018 | 02:30 uur
Citaat van: Harald op 27/09/2018 | 23:46 uur
Ik ben ook benieuwd of deze trainer versie nog wordt door ontwikkeld, upgraded naar een light fighter / attack toestel, net zoiets als de nf-5

Die kans is zeker aanwezig maar ik verwacht niet dat dit iets is dat voor 2030 gebeurd, de toestellen zullen eerst een paar jaar rondvliegen als echt alleen trainers bij de USAF en vervolgens zou het kunnen dat er geinteresseerde zich melden bij Boeing (en/of Saab) voor een light attack versie.

Het zijn ook geen goedkope kisten met 37 miljoen dollar per stuk op het prijskaartje. De 13 miljard dollar deal gaat voor 351 kisten met nog ruimte voor uitbreiding tot 475 stuks.
Ik ben ook benieuwd of er vanuit Europa eventueel Nederland interesse is voor een serie eigen toestellen om de dure vlieguren van de F-35 te compenseren bij de opleidings eenheid in de VS.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Ace1 op 28/09/2018 | 06:34 uur
Citaat van: Parera op 28/09/2018 | 02:30 uur
Die kans is zeker aanwezig maar ik verwacht niet dat dit iets is dat voor 2030 gebeurd, de toestellen zullen eerst een paar jaar rondvliegen als echt alleen trainers bij de USAF en vervolgens zou het kunnen dat er geinteresseerde zich melden bij Boeing (en/of Saab) voor een light attack versie.

Het zijn ook geen goedkope kisten met 37 miljoen dollar per stuk op het prijskaartje. De 13 miljard dollar deal gaat voor 351 kisten met nog ruimte voor uitbreiding tot 475 stuks.
Ik ben ook benieuwd of er vanuit Europa eventueel Nederland interesse is voor een serie eigen toestellen om de dure vlieguren van de F-35 te compenseren bij de opleidings eenheid in de VS.

De Zweedse luchtmacht wil de Saab 105 als trainers  vervangen.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/sweden-launches-future-military-pilot-training-conte-412545/

Ook de Oostenrijkse luchtmacht vliegt met de  Saab 105 als trainer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_105#cite_note-24

Daarnaast misschien orders  in de toekomst van landen die met de Gripen vliegen?

Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 28/09/2018 | 07:38 uur
Citaat van: Parera op 28/09/2018 | 02:30 uur

Het zijn ook geen goedkope kisten met 37 miljoen dollar per stuk op het prijskaartje. De 13 miljard dollar deal gaat voor 351 kisten met nog ruimte voor uitbreiding tot 475 stuks.
Ik ben ook benieuwd of er vanuit Europa eventueel Nederland interesse is voor een serie eigen toestellen om de dure vlieguren van de F-35 te compenseren bij de opleidings eenheid in de VS.

Lara Seligman‏Geverifieerd account @laraseligman · 8 u8 uur geleden 

My biggest takeaway from @usairforce's T-X contract announcement today: the original estimate to replace the 57-year-old T-38 was from $16-20B for 350ish planes. The contract awarded today is for just $9.2B. Seems like huge savings - or did @Boeing just underbid?

9.2 mjd/351 is 26,2 miljoen US$

Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 28/09/2018 | 09:37 uur
Citaat van: Parera op 28/09/2018 | 02:30 uur
Ik ben ook benieuwd of er vanuit Europa eventueel Nederland interesse is voor een serie eigen toestellen om de dure vlieguren van de F-35 te compenseren bij de opleidings eenheid in de VS.

In welke fase wil je die F-35 vlieguren dan compenseren? Als KLu vliegers voor de voorgezette vliegopleiding in de VS blijven, dan vliegen zij op dit Boeing/Saab ontwerp. Aankomende F-35 vliegers leren daarna op de F-35 vliegen. Zowel in de VS als in Nederland wordt dan ook veelvuldig de simulator gebruikt.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 28/09/2018 | 14:47 uur
The Boeing-Saab trainer is powered by a single GE 404 engine made by General Electric and features a glass cockpit and open software that pushes data across the T-X jet and its associated ground training systems. The aircraft also has room for growth, Davis said. Although there is no requirement to put hard points on the wing, the jet can accommodate two per wing, and the company has also built in space for an aerial refueling receptacle.

citaat uit onderstaand artikel
https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2016/09/13/boeing-unveils-t-x-advanced-trainer-aircraft/

De motor GE404 zou prima vervangen kunnen worden door een GE414-400, gelijk aan de Gripen E en F-18E/F/G, hierdoor meer vermogen,(F404<->F414) basis vermogen 11.000 tov 13.000  +  max vermogen met nabrander 17.700 tov 22.000

En ophangpunten : 1x centerlijn en 4x vleugels

in de OA-X is er nog steeds geen keuze gemaakt als low budget CAS toestel. En prop is natuurlijk goedkoper, maar denk dat een AT-X zeker een optie kan zijn.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 02/10/2018 | 11:36 uur
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 07/01/2019 | 12:02 uur
US Air Force expects to expand vertical fight training with T-X

Key Points
•The USAF will expand its vertical fight training now that it has Boeing under contract to deliver the T-X trainer
•The service performed its first sortie after awarding Boeing the contract

The US Air Force (USAF) will expand its vertical fight training now that it has Boeing under contract to deliver its T-X advanced pilot training programme, according to a key officer.

Major General Patrick Doherty, 19th Air Force commander, on 27 November flew the USAF's first official sortie in a T-X aircraft. The service awarded Boeing its contract in late September to build the aircraft that will eventually replace its fleet of Northrop T-38C Talon trainers.

David Deptula, dean of the Air Force Association's (AFA's) Mitchell Institute and a retired fighter pilot and USAF commander, told Jane's on 4 January that vertical fight training is the ability of a pilot to perform basic fighter manoeuvres. While the T-38C can perform these basic fighter manoeuvres, it is limited because it has such a small wing with huge turn ratios. He said the T-38C, at altitude, tends to lose airspeed very quickly in high speed turns.

"[The T-38C is a high-performing aircraft, but in the context of fighter aviation capability and skills that are necessary to be learned to succeed in fighter manoeuvres, the T-X might be a better performing aircraft," Deptula said.

Maj Gen Doherty told Jane's on 18 December that the aircraft, flown in St Louis, Missouri, had a great thrust-to-weight ratio and that the T-X felt similar to a combination of a mini-Boeing F/A-18 Hornet and a mini-Lockheed Martin F-16V Viper.

"I thought it met all my expectations of what we were looking for as an air force and Air Education and Training Command for a fifth-generation platform for the future," Maj Gen Doherty said.

https://www.janes.com/article/85539/us-air-force-expects-to-expand-vertical-fight-training-with-t-x
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 19/02/2019 | 09:16 uur
Saab nears decision on US facility for T-X work

Saab will pick the location of a US facility to host its production activities in support of the Boeing-led T-X jet trainer programme by mid-year, according to the Swedish company's chief executive.

"In the first half of this year we will decide on where we will allocate our production in the USA," Buskhe said during an annual results presentation on 15 February.

Saab was awarded an initial $117 million contract in October 2018 to cover its involvement in the T-X programme's engineering, manufacturing and development phase until 2022. It will be responsible for producing the jet's rear fuselage under a partnership agreement with prime contractor Boeing.

"It's good for Saab and [its] Aeronautics [unit] to have that capacity in the USA," Buskhe says of the future facility, noting that it will help to bring the company "closer to the US customer", as it eyes further business opportunities.

While Boeing and Saab are still determining their joint sales strategy for the T-X, Buskhe says he has already visited "a handful of countries" to discuss the product. "We can already see huge interest for the trainer system around the world," he notes.

"First of all, we focus on the US, to deliver there, but we are creating a capability to take more orders," Buskhe says.

The US Air Force expects to buy an initial 351 of the new type to replace its Northrop T-38 trainers, following a $9.2 billion selection decision made last September. However, Boeing has forecast a potential future market opportunity to produce 2,600 examples to meet additional US requirements and international demand. "It's a good number," Buskhe agrees.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/saab-nears-decision-on-us-facility-for-t-x-work-455834/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 20/02/2019 | 10:14 uur
Boeing's T-X could be coming to the Middle East — and not just as a trainer jet

Boeing and Saab's T-X trainer jet, fresh off of winning the U.S. Air Force's next-generation trainer competition, could be bought by nations in the Middle East for a variety of different missions, according to a Boeing executive at the International Defense Exhibition in the United Arab Emirates.

"We are seeing quite a bit of interest in the T-X," said Mark Ballew, director of sales and marketing for International Government Services at Boeing Global Services. "We are getting quite a few inquiries about T-X and when would it be available."

Ballew declined to comment about which countries were interested in the aircraft--or what type of missions those countries were looking at.

The T-X is a clean-sheet, two-seat trainer aircraft that will replace the U.S. Air Force's aging T-38 Talons. It's a joint program between Boeing and Saab, and beat out competing bids from Lockheed Martin and Leonardo DRS.

And while it's widely assumed that foreign militaries, particularly those that operate the F-35, could potentially buy the T-X, its been assumed that it would likely be in the trainer role. But in Boeing's media briefing at IDEX, Ballew indicated that the company sees a much wider market for the jet, in things like aggressor training and even as a lightweight fighter.

.../...

https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/idex/2019/02/19/boeings-t-x-could-be-coming-to-the-middle-east-and-not-just-as-a-trainer/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 26/02/2019 | 13:24 uur
Boeing eyes T-X opportunity in Australia

Boeing is positioning its T-X advanced jet trainer and its accompanying training system for a long-term requirement in Australia.

No request for proposals has been issued, but Boeing has held discussions with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for the T-X, says Boeing vice-president Thom Breckenridge.

"There is no specific RFP yet, but we do understand there is a requirement and we've had discussions with the RAAF."

He adds that Boeing has held discussions about the T-X with several nations. He believes there is a large opportunity for the type in Asia-Pacific, although the discussions thus far have been mainly exploratory to better understand customer needs.

Asked if customers are asking for a ground attack capability, Breckenridge said that Boeing sees "different needs in different places."

"There is a lot of opportunity in the Asia-Pacific and our focus is working with customers."

He stressed that the T-X is not just an aircraft, but a holistic system that includes ground-based training and support.

As for the aircraft itself, he pointed out a number of attributes that help with the training mission. These include a cockpit that can accommodate pilots of "all shapes and sizes," which effectively broadens the pool of trainee pilots.

The canopy's opening to the side allows for the easy swapping of ejection seats if necessary.

On maintainability, the aircraft is designed with ease of maintenance, including higher wings that maintainers can walk under without hitting their heads, and panels optimized for access to internal compartments.

In 2018, a joint team of Boeing and Saab won a competition to replace the venerable Northrop T-38 in US Air Force service with the T-X.

Cirium Fleets Analyzer shows that the RAAF operates 33 BAE Systems Hawk 127s in the fast-jet training role. The average age of this fleet is 18 years.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/avalon-boeing-eyes-t-x-opportunity-in-australia-456100/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 07/03/2019 | 11:53 uur
US Air Force's new trainer jet could become its next light-attack or aggressor aircraft

https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/afa-air-space/2019/03/06/air-forces-new-trainer-jet-could-become-its-next-light-attack-or-aggressor-aircraft/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 08/05/2019 | 08:35 uur
The Air Force's new trainer jet is attracting the Navy's and Marine Corps' interests

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are monitoring the development of the Air Force's T-X training jet, but it may be years before they can launch their own competitions to replace the T-45, officials said Monday.

"We're watching the T-X. Obviously the Air Force is going through that process," Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder, the Marine Corps' deputy commandant for aviation, said during a panel at the Navy League's Sea-Air-Space conference.

"At some point, we're going to have to replace the T-45. We're going to have to replace the F-5," he said, referring to the T-45 Goshawk (used by the Navy and Marine Corps to train fighter pilots) and the F-5 (used to simulate adversaries during exercises).

"Our adversary requirement is not going away. It only increases. That's another one that with our Air Force counterparts we're watching closely on many different fronts," he added.

Last year, the Air Force chose a Boeing-Saab team to build a new, clean-sheet trainer, awarding the firms a contract worth up to $9.2 billion. Although the service's program of record is 351 T-X jets and 46 simulators, the agreement gives it the flexibility to buy up to 475 aircraft and 120 simulators. A Navy and Marine Corps buy would add several hundred aircraft to the Air Force's eventual order — a massive financial win for Boeing, which bid extremely low on the T-X solicitation with the expectation of raking in big profits during the production stage.

Boeing is set to deliver the first simulators to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, in 2023. In fiscal 2024, the Air Force will have enough simulators and trainers to declare its first squadron as operational.

....

https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/navy-league/2019/05/07/the-air-forces-new-trainer-jet-is-attracting-the-navys-and-marine-corps-interests/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 09/05/2019 | 09:30 uur
Saab to set up Indiana factory for T-X work

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/saab-to-set-up-indiana-factory-for-t-x-work-458011/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 16/05/2019 | 15:44 uur
Boeing touts light attack, Aggressor potential for T-X trainer

Boeing sees significant potential in securing light attack and Aggressor sales for the T-X trainer aircraft it has developed with Saab, having factored the required growth capacity into the basic design of the aircraft.

....

"There is certainly growth for light attack and Aggressor development, with all the power and cooling requirements already designed into the airframe," Torgerson said, adding that locations for underwing hardpoints have been identified and that the necessary structures are already in place (although the wiring and plumbing is not).

....

https://www.janes.com/article/88554/boeing-touts-light-attack-aggressor-potential-for-t-x-trainer
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 27/05/2019 | 10:03 uur
Saab CEO sees 'huge interest' in T-X trainer aircraft following US Air Force deal

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/05/24/saab-ceo-sees-huge-interest-in-t-x-trainer-aircraft-following-us-air-force-deal/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 18/06/2019 | 13:36 uur
​PARIS: Boeing sticks with big number for future T-X sales

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-boeing-sticks-with-big-number-for-future-t-x-459089/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 02/07/2019 | 08:49 uur
Boeing T-X Begins EMD Flight Tests

Boeing T-X takes to the air and is flying high. Watch as the T-X jet makes it first, official Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) flight test in St. Louis, Mo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0hWkDWbLZg
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 19/07/2019 | 11:40 uur
How Boeing Won the T-X

http://airforcemag.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2019/July%202019/How-Boeing-Won-the-T-X.aspx
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 17/09/2019 | 08:49 uur
Air Force Names the T-X the T-7A Red Hawk

http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/September%202019/Red-Hawk-T-X-Designated-T-7A-Named-for-Tuskegee-Airmen.aspx

(https://www.defensieforum.nl/Forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airforcemag.com%2FFeatures%2FPublishingImages%2F2019%2FSeptember%25202019%2F09162019%2520Red%2520Hawk.jpg&hash=616f14061189ddadfb19fee87277c1092bc3d9c8)
The new T-7A Redhawk USAF trainer was unveiled by a Tuskegee Airman. Staff photo by Mike Tsukamoto.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 17/09/2019 | 08:52 uur
VIDEO: USAF christens new trainer as T-7A Red Hawk

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/video-usaf-christens-new-trainer-as-t-7a-red-hawk-460890/

Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Huzaar1 op 17/09/2019 | 15:13 uur
Heeft de vormgeving en uoterlijke eigenschappen van een jaren 70 ontwerp. Maar wellicht is dat juist fijn bij een trainee?
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 17/09/2019 | 15:26 uur
Citaat van: Huzaar1 op 17/09/2019 | 15:13 uur
Heeft de vormgeving en uoterlijke eigenschappen van een jaren 70 ontwerp. Maar wellicht is dat juist fijn bij een trainee?

Bij een jet trainer speelt het uiterlijk een iets minder belangrijke rol. Het gaat meer om de bediening en hoe de jet trainer reageert. Niet alleen jachtvliegers worden hiermee opgeleid. De overstap van de huidige T-38 naar bijvoorbeeld F-35 is eigenlijk te groot.

Maakt het wel weer interessant hoe de M-346 en de T-7A zich zullen verhouden.

Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 22/01/2020 | 10:07 uur
Saab commences production for T-7A Red Hawk programme

(https://www.aviation24.be/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/190916-F-AF999-0012-2-1024x512.jpg)

Saab has commenced assembly production for the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk advanced jet trainer.

The Swedish company says it is producing seven aft fuselage sections in Linköping, Sweden which will then undergo final assembly at Boeing's factory in St. Louis, Missouri.

Saab's future production work will take place in West Lafayette, Indiana. Boeing, which serves as prime contractor for the T-7A, and Saab partnered on the programme.

"In little over a year since we signed the [engineering and manufacturing development] contract, we are starting production of our part of the T-7A jet," says Saab executive Jonas Hjelm.

"This achievement is possible due to the great collaboration between Saab and Boeing, and it is an honour to be part of this programme for the United States Air Force."

Boeing won a $9.2 billion contract in September 2018 to supply the USAF with 351 T-7A aircraft, 46 simulators and associated ground equipment. The service is replacing its fleet of Northrop T-38C Talons that started entering service in 1961.

https://www.flightglobal.com/saab-commences-production-for-t-7a-red-hawk-programme/136269.article
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EEnLO07X4AAf7Sd.jpg)
(https://www.usinenouvelle.com/mediatheque/9/2/4/000813429_image_896x598/red-hawk-nouvel-avion-de-combat-de-boeing.jpg)
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 22/01/2020 | 14:05 uur
meer inhoudelijke info :

Saab begins T-X assembly

Saab has started assembly of the first aft-fuselage section of the T-7A Red Hawk for the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the US Air Force's (USAF's) T-X trainer aircraft replacement programme.

The Swedish manufacturer said on 21 January that it had begun building the first section from just aft of the cockpit to the rear of the trainer aircraft that it has developed as a partner to the T-X prime contractor, Boeing.

"In little over a year since we signed the EMD contract, we are starting production of our part of the T-7A jet," Saab said in a statement.

With two production representative jets (PRJs) already built and flying, the EMD contract awarded in September 2018 was for five more aircraft for flight trials, plus one fuselage for static and one fuselage for fatigue testing.

Saab is now building these seven EMD aft-fuselage units at its plant in Linköping, Sweden, ahead of transfer to Boeing's St. Louis facility in Missouri for aircraft final assembly. As noted by Saab, the work currently being carried out in Linköping will be transferred to West Lafayette in Indiana, where sections for about 60 aircraft will be turned out per year.

Previously, Saab has declined to say when the first EMD aircraft will fly, noting that "this is very sensitive information for the USAF".

Besides Boeing and Saab, other industry suppliers so far disclosed comprise General Electric, Triumph Group, Collins Aerospace, L3 Technologies, and Elbit Systems.

The USAF has a programme-of-record of 351 Red Hawk aircraft to replace the Northrop T-38 Talon that has been in service since the 1960s. With the first aircraft set to be delivered to Randolph Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, in 2023, initial operational capability (IOC) is scheduled for 2024. All undergraduate pilot training bases will eventually transition from the T-38C to the T-7A, including those at Columbus AFB, Mississippi; Laughlin AFB and Sheppard AFB, Texas; and Vance AFB, Oklahoma.

https://www.janes.com/article/93844/saab-begins-t-x-assembly
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 20/03/2020 | 10:32 uur
US Air Force looks to rent T-X contest losers to prepare for Boeing T-7A

The US Air Force is looking to rent four to eight jet trainers to perfect its training regime and further refine capabilities needed on the winner of the T-X trainer contest, the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk.

The service's Air Combat Command (ACC) plans to contract Hillwood Aviation to provide the Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50A trainer, according to a sole-source notice posted online in January. The sole-source award is being protested by Mission System Solutions which is offering the Leonardo M-346 jet trainer, however.

Both aircraft were put forward for the USAF T-X contest by their manufacturers, but lost to Boeing's T-7A. There is no indication Boeing's T-7A contract, which may include up to up to 351 units, is being replaced.

The initiative is called Reforge Proof of Concept. That is in reference to another USAF idea called Rebuilding the Forge, which intends to speed up the pace of fighter pilot training using the Boeing T-7A.

"The [concept of operations] deliberately develops and experiences fighter aviators with relevant tactical skills prior to their fighter's Formal Training Unit," says the sole-source award.

Formal Training Units are later-stage training groups for new pilots within operational fighter squadrons. The units are intended to educate aviators on the advanced fourth-and fifth-generation aircraft they will be flying, such as the Lockheed Martin F-22, Lockheed Martin F-35, Lockheed Martin F-16 and Boeing F-15.

Because the T-7A is an advanced aircraft, the ACC wants to see if it can complete more training earlier to relieve workload on operational squadrons.

To prove the concept and make last-minute alterations to the configuration of the Boeing T-7As, it plans to conduct a five-year experiment with advanced trainers. The rented jet trainers would provide approximately 3,000 sorties and 4,500 flight hours annually.

Boeing's T-7A is still in the final stages of development and testing, so it is not yet available for the experiment. The first T-7A is not scheduled to arrive at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, until 2023.

The concept also can't be proved with the USAF's current jet trainer, the Northrop T-38 Talon, says David Nichols, chief executive of Mission System Solutions.

"In terms of sensor and information management, that T-38 doesn't come anywhere close," he says. "In order to really move into an operational squadron and to be productive, you've got to learn how to use the system and manage the information in a high-G environment. And, the T-38 was never designed for that. It is well past its time."

The ACC has given few details about why it wants the T-50 via a sole-source contract, but has said it wants an aircraft with "active-radar capable of detecting a fighter-sized target no later than [17.8nm (37km)] or the ability to install one without lapse or disruption of service within one year".

It also wants an "embedded synthetic training system or the ability to install one without lapse or disruption of service within one year." And, an aircraft with the "ability to achieve closure rates of at least 1,100kt (2,040km/h) when conducting in-unit air-to-air training."

https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/us-air-force-looks-to-rent-t-x-contest-losers-to-prepare-for-boeing-t-7a/137416.article
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 06/04/2020 | 10:31 uur
T-7A Ground Training System Passes Critical Design Review

https://www.airforcemag.com/t-7a-ground-training-system-passes-critical-design-review/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 18/05/2020 | 09:08 uur
US Navy begins search for next jet trainer to replace T-45 Goshawk  ( Red Hawk voor de USN ?... )

The US Navy (USN) has begun its search for a new jet trainer to replace its Boeing T-45 Goshawk fleet.

As part of its new Undergraduate Jet Training System programme, the service wants a nondevelopmental, land-based jet trainer aircraft capable of field carrier landing practice and nuclear aircraft carrier touch-and-go landings by 2028 or sooner, according to a request for information posted online on 14 May.

The service wants a two-pilot aircraft with ejection seats. The jet should be able to be flown from either cockpit.

The USN is interested in knowing what aircraft can integrate advanced technologies, such as Precision Landing Mode, which is used to help land the Boeing F-18E/F Super Hornet on aircraft carriers. It also wants the trainer to have an automatic ground collision avoidance system.

The service wants an assessment of how certain aircraft would handle the forces of high sink rate landings, the hallmark of training for landing on the short deck of an aircraft carrier.

The next generation trainer is expected to fly 400h a year. The USN wants to conduct field carrier landing practices at a rate of 1,200 per aircraft per year. It wants each aircraft to perform carrier touch-and-go landings 45 times per year.

The aircraft is to have a flight life of at least 14,400h and be able to sustain 43,200 landings.

The service does not plan to conduct arrested landings or catapult launches from aircraft carriers using the jet trainer. That differs from the T-45, which conducts carrier landings and launches.

The aircraft should have an operational ceiling of 41,000ft. It should be capable of speeds greater than 600kt (1,111km/h).

Likely competitors in the USN's next generation trainer program would be the Boeing-Saab T-7A jet, recent winner of the US Air Force's T-X trainer competition; Lockheed Martin's T-50A, based on the FA-50, a light attack and trainer aircraft developed with Korea Aerospace Industries; and Leonardo's T-100, based on the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master, a light attack and trainer aircraft.

The T-45 is a variant of the 1970s British Aerospace Hawk, developed jointly for the USN by McDonnell Douglas and British Aerospace. Boeing acquired the programme in 1997 when it merged with McDonnell Douglas.

https://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/211255/india-abandons-mmrca-fighter-tender%2C-will-buy-more-tejas-lcas-instead.html
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 18/05/2020 | 09:14 uur
The RFI, issued on 14 May, calls for information on the suitability of an existing twin-seat land-based jet trainer aircraft design to satisfy certain requirements under consideration for the next generation USN undergraduate jet trainer aircraft.

Specifically, the solicitation noted the capability of this non-developmental aircraft to perform land-based Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) events and ship-based carrier touch-and-go events for USN and US Marine Corps (USMC) pilots.

According to the RFI, the aircraft is not required to conduct either arrested landing or catapult-assisted take-offs, although it does need to be able to withstand the very high sink-rates associated with carrier landings.

Performance specifications listed by NAVAIR include a top speed in excess of Mach 0.84, an operational ceiling of 41,000 ft, synthetic radar and other sensors, as well as simulated air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons employment. It should also have two rocket/bomb-capable pylons.


https://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/211255/india-abandons-mmrca-fighter-tender%2C-will-buy-more-tejas-lcas-instead.html

Dit zal wel een aantal aanpassingen geven aan de Red Hawk, maar er is wel vaker gesproken over light fighter en attack capaciteiten. Dus waarschijnlijk zal dit geen problemen opleveren.
Als ze wel echte decklandingen en katapult lanceringen willen uitvoeren zal het gehele onderstel waarschijnlijk verstevigd moeten worden.   
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 18/05/2020 | 09:27 uur
Citaat van: Harald op 18/05/2020 | 09:14 uur
Als ze wel echte decklandingen en katapult lanceringen willen uitvoeren zal het gehele onderstel waarschijnlijk verstevigd moeten worden.   

Niet alleen het onderstel. De airframe zal ook op diverse plaatsen moeten worden versterkt. Gelukkig gaat het om een jet trainer, dus net als bij de ontwikkeling van de BAe Hawk naar de T-45 Goshawk zou het niet al te moeilijk moeten zijn.

China is ook bezig met een maritieme variant van de JL-9 jet trainer.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/2020/05/13/58a0338a-288b-4704-a0f5-74d5d7839a58
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 20/05/2020 | 15:27 uur
Covid-19: Red Hawk testing progresses at Edwards AFB

20 MAY 2020 00:00 GMT+0

Boeing and the US Air Force (USAF) have continued testing the T-7A Red Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), despite personnel restrictions put in place because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The USAF reported on 19 May that the 412th Test Wing (TW) at the California base has put in place remote working and other mitigating solutions to protect its airmen and contractors while continuing to progress the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the Red Hawk programme.

"The 412th TW has maintained an operational tempo that rivals pre-virus days, despite geographically separated teams and reduced manning. The 412th TW has continued operations through the adoption of dynamic processes and innovative techniques," the USAF said.

As noted by the service, with these new measures in place the 412th TW has participated in Distributed Test Operations (DTO) with the Red Hawk. "On 30 April the T-7A Test Team executed the first real-time DTO in a mission control room at Ridley Mission Control Center at Edwards AFB. The significance of the DTO process is that it allows engineers within Ridley to view real-time flight tests from remote locations. The latest test took place approximately 2,000 miles away at the Boeing St Louis facility [in Missouri], which allowed engineers at Edwards AFB to watch video and view flight telemetry in real time," the USAF said.

Already a Janes subscriber? To read the full 490 word article Client Login

(https://janescom.sitefinity.cloud/images/default-source/news-images/fg_2896844-jdw-6001.jpg?sfvrsn=da5952ab_2)
The first two Red Hawk production representative jets have continued through flight trials despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

https://janescom.sitefinity.cloud/defence-news/news-detail/2020/05/20/2b2bd4d1-d842-4de7-b486-fea78963dd7e
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 10/06/2020 | 10:23 uur
T-7A Red Hawk achieves another design goal

/ Published June 09, 2020

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio (AFLCMC) -- The Air Force is a step closer to finalizing the design for its 4th and 5th Generation Advanced Pilot Trainer, the T-7A Red Hawk.

Boeing and the U.S. Air Force recently conducted both the Aircraft Critical Design Review (CDR) and overall System CDR during a 3-day summit culminating 18 months of development work on the program.

"This is an important step forward in the life of this program," said Shanika Sims, Air Vehicle Branch Chief.  "This design review further solidifies the aircraft and subsystem designs, bringing the T-7A Red Hawk closer to production."

The CDR analyzed the ability of the T-7A subsystems and overall platform to deliver the capabilities required to train 4th and 5th generation fighter pilots.  Specifically, these reviews looked carefully at subsystems such as the new escape system, engine/propulsion integration, and external pylons. Systems engineering processes were used to ensure that the platform design can effectively and successfully deliver the advanced level of training required by new pilots headed for fighters like the F-22 and F-35.

"The combined Government and Boeing team continues to leverage outside-the-box thinking, process tailoring, and are 'breaking the norms' by utilizing advanced engineering digital design practices to design, test, and produce aircraft, enabling  faster delivery of a high-quality product to the warfighter," Sims said.

Many such design reviews are conducted face-to-face, but COVID-19 required personnel from around the country to adapt and collaborate remotely.  So these design reviews were conducted virtually, between the Air Force program office out of Wright-Patterson AFB and the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk program office in St. Louis, Missouri.  Air Education and Training Command, at Randolph AFB, Texas and the Air Force Test Center at Edwards AFB, California also participated.

The T-7A program kicked off in September 2018 when the Air Force awarded Boeing a $9.2 billion contract to replace Air Education and Training Command's aging T-38C fleet with 351 T-7 training aircraft, along with 46 simulators and associated ground equipment.  The capabilities of the T-7 will provide student pilots with skills necessary to more effectively transition to 4th & 5th generation fighter/bomber aircraft.

(https://media.defense.gov/2019/Sep/16/2002312740/780/780/0/190916-F-AF999-0012.JPG)
The Air Force's all-new advanced trainer aircraft, the T-X, has officially been named the T-7A Red Hawk.

https://www.aflcmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2212450/t-7a-red-hawk-achieves-another-design-goal/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 18/06/2020 | 08:55 uur
Australia begins quest for a new trainer jet   ( ... zou Australie de eerste klant worden ? .. van de T-7A ? )


Australia has issued an RfI for a future lead-in fighter training system (LIFTS), in a requirement called Project Air 6002 Phase 1. This formally begins the search for a replacement for the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) Hawk 127 trainer jet fleet.

The RAAF is seeking a future solution ...

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/training-simulation/australia-begins-quest-new-trainer-jet/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 19/06/2020 | 09:10 uur
ACC Aims to Cut Pilot Training Time By Up to Half (van 40 naar 22 maanden is het streven)

https://www.airforcemag.com/acc-aims-to-cut-pilot-training-time-by-up-to-half/

(https://www.airforcemag.com/app/uploads/2020/06/Cockpit-Composite-750x1024.png)
The Boeing T-7 Red Hawk's "glass cockpit" (top) has reconfigurable displays that will allow pilots to practice realistic sensor operation and weapons release in the airplane itself, while the T-38C (bottom), although having some digital updates, is still using many "steam gauges" and dials, which won't allow such advanced training. Boeing video screenshot and USAF photo.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 15/07/2020 | 09:49 uur
Boeing progresses Red Hawk EMD testing

14 JULY 2020

by Gareth Jennings

Boeing is progressing the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) element of its contract to deliver 351 new T-7A Red Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft to the US Air Force (USAF), reporting 80% completion of the first phase.

Speaking at the company's first 'virtual' pre-Farnborough International Airshow event on 14 July, Vice-President of International Sales, Strike, Surveillance and Mobility Thomas Breckenridge said that the first of three EMD phases had completed more than 200 test flights of the two production-representative jets (PRJs) currently flying.

"Significant progress is being made, [and] we are on track for initial operating capability in 2024," Breckenridge said, added that many of the USAF performance targets had been exceeded.

With EMD Phase 1 proceeding on track, Breckenridge noted that hot-weather trials, high angle-of-attack (AoA) with no nose boom, and a continuation of in-flight engine restart tests would be conducted during the next few weeks.

News of the good progression followed the successful completion of the USAF's critical design reviews (CDRs) for the aircraft. This milestone, announced by the US Air Force Life-Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) on 9 June, was reached when the Aircraft CDR and overall System CDR were signed off as important steps on the path to production for the Red Hawk, solidifying the aircraft and subsystem designs.

The conclusion of the Aircraft CDR and System CDR followed the successful completion earlier in the year of the CDR for the ground-based elements of the jet trainer. The T-7A Ground Based Training Systems (GBTS) CDR paved the way for manufacturing on the ground-based elements of the USAF's aircrew training system to commence.

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(https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/fg_3260451-jdw-6951.jpg?sfvrsn=43da73b5_2)
One of the two production-representative jets that have flown more than 200 times in support of the current EMD testing. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/boeing-progresses-red-hawk-emd-testing
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 15/07/2020 | 13:29 uur
Boeing sees T-7 as combat replacement for Northrop F-5 and Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet

Boeing believes a light-attack variant of its T-7 jet trainer could replace the world's ageing fleets of Northrop F-5 and Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet combat aircraft.

Boeing has long touted the "growth potential" of the T-7, noting that the trainer could be retrofitted with weapons, such as missiles or bombs, to serve as a combat aircraft. The company has said that it believes there is a global market for 2,600 T-7s, as trainers, light-attack or aggressor aircraft.

The Chicago-based airframer declines to say what countries are likely buyers of the T-7. However, the firm notes in response to a question from FlightGlobal that light combat jets such as the F-5 and Alpha Jet would be good candidates to be replaced by the T-7. Both of those aircraft also serve trainer roles within various air forces.

There are 435 examples of the F-5 still in service worldwide, according to Cirium fleets data. The light jet was first delivered in 1964 and ceased production in 1989, according to Northrop. Of the worldwide fleet still in operation, the jets have an average age of 41.4 years. The F-5 is operated by 17 different countries, including the air forces of Brazil, Kenya, Morocco and Thailand.

There are 174 examples of the Alpha Jet still in service worldwide, Cirium data shows. The French and German-made light jet first took flight in 1973, according to Dassault. Of the worldwide active fleet, the jets have an average age of 38 years. The aircraft is operated by 11 countries, including Egypt, France and Morocco.

Boeing notes that many potential sales opportunities for the T-7, as a trainer or combat aircraft, are likely to come from the Asia-Pacific region. "We do see some strong interest in that region," says Thomas Breckenridge, vice-president of international sales in Boeing's strike, surveillance and mobility business unit.

The manufacturer is on contract to build up to 351 examples for the US Air Force (USAF), with the first aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2023. The USAF variant of the trainer is called the T-7A Red Hawk. The jet is scheduled to achieve initial operational capability by 2024 and full operational capability by 2034.

Testing of two prototypes of the T-7A is under way, with more than 200 flights on the aircraft completed to date. Boeing has started building its first engineering, manufacturing and development variant of the aircraft for the USAF, but declines to say when that aircraft will first fly.

https://www.flightglobal.com/farnborough-2020/boeing-sees-t-7-as-combat-replacement-for-northrop-f-5-and-dassault/dornier-alpha-jet/139289.article
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 15/07/2020 | 13:51 uur
Citaat van: Harald op 15/07/2020 | 13:29 uur
Boeing sees T-7 as combat replacement for Northrop F-5 and Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet


Ik zou het prima vinden als onze KLu het uiteindelijk zou houden bij 3 squadrons F35A's (52 totaal) en dit aanvult met 2 squadrons T-7's in een multirole variant, of toch maar een aanvulling op de F-35 met UCAV's?

Het gewenst aantal waar voor gelobbyd wordt ligt immers op minimaal 67 exemplaren.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 15/07/2020 | 14:10 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 15/07/2020 | 13:51 uur
Ik zou het prima vinden als onze KLU het uiteindelijk zou houden bij 3 squadrons F35A's (52 totaal) en dit aanvult met 2 squadrons T-7's in een multirole variant, of toch maar een aanvulling op de F-35 met UCAV's?

Het gewenst aantal waar voor gelobbyd wordt ligt immers op minimaal 67 exemplaren.

Wil je wel zoveel verschillende fixed-wing types hebben? Dan zal toch duidelijk moeten zijn wat men precies aan taken wil kunnen uitvoeren. UCAV's kunnen veel, maar niet alles. Wordt er bijvoorbeeld besloten om toch weer met MPA's te gaan vliegen, dan heb je ook daar personeel voor nodig. DHC en het toekomstige Air Mobility Command vragen ook de nodige aandacht.

Laten we eerst maar zien wat de T-7A kan zodra deze operationeel wordt op bijvoorbeeld Sheppard AFB.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 15/07/2020 | 14:17 uur
Citaat van: Sparkplug op 15/07/2020 | 14:10 uur
Wil je wel zoveel verschillende fixed-wing types hebben?

Ik zou me kunnen voorstellen dat een lichte aanvulling op de F35 een, in veel opzichten, attractieve rol kan spelen als luchtoverwicht gerealiseerd is.

Bij een gelijkwaardig tegenstander zet zo'n lichte kist m.i. minder zonden aan de dijk.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 15/07/2020 | 14:51 uur
Upside down...all-around

Boeing T-7A goes inverted to test jet's systems and performance
July 14, 2020 in Defense

Proving out the Boeing T-7A Advanced Trainer in its first inverted flights, Boeing Test & Evaluation pilots Matt Giese and William Berryman are the first to take the agile trainer, developed for the U.S. Air Force, through a rugged series of maneuvers to test the jet's fuel system at all angles.

"What we do is roll the airplane upside down," said Dan Draeger, chief pilot, Boeing Tactical Aircraft, Boeing Test & Evaluation. "We need to make sure that things like fuel, oil and everything else feeds properly to the airplane during all maneuvers."

"We roll to an inverted position and push to negative one-g, so it's a little uncomfortable. Your kind of hanging in your seat straps inside the cockpit," added Giese.

Throughout the series of more than a dozen inverted test points the aircrew proved the Saab designed fuel system for the T-7A is efficient and reliable in the advanced jet as it prepares for a life of future training missions and beyond.

In September 2018, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $9.2 billion contract to supply T-7A Red Hawk aircraft and trainers to replacing their aging T-38 training fleet. The T-7A was designed, built and flown in just 36 months using state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques. The aircraft will train fighter pilots of the future with an advanced cockpit, digital fly-by-wire controls and an integrated ground-based training system.

"It's a great training lead-in to the current fighter fleet," said Giese as he climbed out of the cockpit after a test flight. "It could serve multiple roles as a light attack or other fighter in many missions."

http://www.boeing.com/features/2020/07/upside-down-all-around.page

Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Oorlogsvis op 15/07/2020 | 15:57 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 15/07/2020 | 13:51 uur
Ik zou het prima vinden als onze KLu het uiteindelijk zou houden bij 3 squadrons F35A's (52 totaal) en dit aanvult met 2 squadrons T-7's in een multirole variant, of toch maar een aanvulling op de F-35 met UCAV's?

Het gewenst aantal waar voor gelobbyd wordt ligt immers op minimaal 67 exemplaren.
dit soort toestellen naast de F-35 ben ik altijd een fan van geweest hier op dit forum....als je toch al luchtoverwicht bezit en een primitieve tegenstander
zonder airdefence etc dan is een F-35 overkill en kan je bijvoorbeeld hetzelfde resultaat bereiken met een Stuka ..

De Syrische luchtmacht gebruikt veelal ook alleen maar de L-39 Albatross voor het bombarderen van terroristen ..dat is ook een goedkope trainer en het
resultaat is hetzelfde je hangt er een bom onder en gooit hem naar beneden. Geen tegenstanders in de lucht die je kunnen neerschieten.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 15/07/2020 | 17:19 uur
Citaat van: Sparkplug op 15/07/2020 | 14:10 uur
Laten we eerst maar zien wat de T-7A kan zodra deze operationeel wordt op bijvoorbeeld Sheppard AFB.

Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 15/07/2020 | 14:17 uur
Ik zou me kunnen voorstellen dat een lichte aanvulling op de F35 een, in veel opzichten, attractieve rol kan spelen als luchtoverwicht gerealiseerd is.

Precies, dat is ook mijn gedachte.
en ja ... dat hebben we 2 type vliegtuigen, maar een ATF-7A lijk me qua exploitatie, onderhoud een stuk aantrekkelijker dan een F-35A.

En in light Attack lijkt me zo'n toestel prima geschikt. 
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 15/07/2020 | 18:06 uur
Citaat van: Harald op 15/07/2020 | 17:19 uur
Precies, dat is ook mijn gedachte.
en ja ... dat hebben we 2 type vliegtuigen, maar een ATF-7A lijk me qua exploitatie, onderhoud een stuk aantrekkelijker dan een F-35A.

En in light Attack lijkt me zo'n toestel prima geschikt.

Wellicht is 1 sqn voor de Belgen een optie.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Huzaar1 op 15/07/2020 | 19:59 uur
Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 15/07/2020 | 18:06 uur
Wellicht is 1 sqn voor de Belgen een optie.

1sqn erbij voor de Belgen?
Dat is financieel echt totaal unfeasable. Dat leger heeft haar huidige omvang niet eens goed gefinancieerd, ik denk dat het niet lang duurt voor we in het zuiden weer een totale reorganisatie van hun strijdkrachten gaan zien. Geld erbij zie ik met de huidige economische problemen niet gebeuren.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 15/07/2020 | 20:07 uur
Citaat van: Huzaar1 op 15/07/2020 | 19:59 uur
1sqn erbij voor de Belgen?
Dat is financieel echt totaal unfeasable. Dat leger heeft haar huidige omvang niet eens goed gefinancieerd, ik denk dat het niet lang duurt voor we in het zuiden weer een totale reorganisatie van hun strijdkrachten gaan zien. Geld erbij zie ik met de huidige economische problemen niet gebeuren.

Ik vrees dat je hier een punt hebt.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 02/12/2020 | 10:01 uur
Production of First T-7A Sims Begins at St. Louis

https://www.airforcemag.com/production-of-first-t-7a-sims-begins-at-st-louis/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 24/02/2021 | 08:39 uur
Boeing Begins T-7A Red Hawk Advanced Trainer Production

First in U.S. Air Force "eSeries" aircraft validates digital design and build for advanced trainer

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 23, 2021 — A new era in aircraft design and build has begun as the first U.S. portion of the T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer has officially entered the Boeing [NYSE:BA] jet's state-of-the-art production line.

The training jet, designated the eT-7A Red Hawk by the U.S. Air Force because of its digital heritage, was fully designed using 3D model-based definition and data management systems developed at Boeing during the last two decades. The T-7A Red Hawk employed the digital engineering and design of the Boeing T-X aircraft that went from firm concept to first flight in just 36 months.

"The future of air dominance lies in the ability to move quickly, take smart risks and partner in new ways to get the job done," said Shelley Lavender, Boeing senior vice president of Strike, Surveillance and Mobility. "By creating aircraft and systems along a digital thread, we can accelerate build times and increase quality and affordability for our customers in a way that has never been done before."

The Advanced Pilot Training System also incorporates leading-edge ground-based live and virtual simulators to give students and instructors a "real as it gets" experience.

In September 2018, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $9.2 billion contract to supply 351 advanced trainer aircraft and 46 associated ground-based training simulators. Saab is teamed with Boeing on the trainer and provides the aft fuselage of the jet.

"This is a historic moment for the program and industry," said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president of T-7 Programs. "The build process leverages full-size determinant assembly, which allows technicians to build the aircraft with minimal tooling and drilling during the assembly process. The digital process accounts for a 75% increase in first-time quality."

Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.

https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130830
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 24/02/2021 | 08:50 uur
Boeing, Navy Discuss T-7A As Goshawk Replacement 

The Navy has "no program of record right now" to replace its T-45 trainers, said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing VP for T-7 programs, but the company is "working closely with them in answering questions" about the T-7A Red Hawk's capabilities.

Boeing is talking with the Navy about the T-7A Red Hawk trainer replacing the service's aging T-45 Goshawk jet trainer, says Chuck Dabundo, program vice president.

"We've been in some discussions with the Navy about a couple of different variants of the T-7," he told reporters today. "There is no program of record right now, [but] we're working closely with them in answering questions about the platform and its capabilities. And we're hopeful that it will be able to play a role in the Navy's training systems as well."

The Navy in May 2020 released a request for information for a new trainer, capable of landing both on a runway and on a carrier, under its Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) effort. Importantly, the Navy wants an off-the-shelf solution that can be fielded by 2028. It also wants a two-pilot configuration complete with ejection seats.  Vendors had until July 2020 to respond to the RFI, but no formal request for proposals has yet been released.

T7-A production for the Air Force is proceeding to schedule, according to Boeing officials speaking during today's webinar with reporters in advance of the annual February Air Force Association show (virtual this year due to the pandemic.) Delivery of the first fully capable aircraft is slated for 2023.

The first production aircraft is set to roll off the line later this year, Dabundo said. Testing will take place both at Taylor Field and Edwards AFB, he explained. Initial flight testing using the production representative jet (PRJ) has been ongoing for about six months, he elaborated. That will be followed by a second stage using the EMD (engineering, manufacturing and development) model later this year.

"The flight test program is being jointly executed by Boeing and the Air Force," Dabundo noted.

Boeing and teammate SAAB won a $9.2 billion contract to build the T-7A. The Air Force intends to buy 351, with related simulators and ground equipment to train pilots to fly fifth and fourth generation aircraft. But the indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IF) contract allows for a buy of up to 475 jets.

The Air Force also has ordered T-7A 46 simulators and associated ground equipment, but can purchase up to 120 simulators under the current contract. The first of those are also slated to be delivered in 2023, just prior to the first fully capable aircraft.

Boeing further has set its sights on the possibility that the trainer could be used by foreign air forces as a light-attack aircraft — which is a typical spin-off mission for advanced trainer jets. Dabundo demurred providing details about what modifications the T-7A might require to serve in such a role, only noting that it "would really be very dependent on what the requirements were for the specific customer."

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/02/boeing-navy-discuss-t-7a-as-goshawk-replacement/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 02/03/2021 | 11:04 uur
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 20/04/2021 | 22:51 uur
Saab Makes First T-7A Delivery

https://www.edrmagazine.eu/saab-makes-first-t-7a-delivery
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 17/05/2021 | 09:09 uur
First Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer assembled in record time

In a historic moment, the front fuselage of the first Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer was joined perfectly with its aft section in less than 30 minutes — a testament to the digital heritage of the U.S. Air Force's first "eSeries" aircraft and witness to the benefits of model-based engineering and 3D design.

The digital splice was completed in 95% less time than traditional splices and with substantial quality improvements. "This moment marks a key stage in the evolution of the T-7A Red Hawk," said Chuck Dabundo, vice president and program manager of Boeing T-7 programs. "Employing digitally advanced manufacturing and build techniques developed by Boeing over the past two decades, we are bringing this trainer to future pilots sooner than ever before possible and with greater quality."

The aft fuselage was designed and built by Saab in Linköping, Sweden, under a joint development agreement with Boeing. After making the journey of more than 4,500 miles (7,200 kilometers) to St. Louis, the aft section was lined up perfectly to the forward fuselage by Boeing aircraft mechanics.

The aircraft, which will be used for static tests, is the first engineering and manufacturing development test asset to be spliced. It will be followed by five engineering and manufacturing development jets as part of 351 T-7A Red Hawk trainers to be produced for the U.S. Air Force.

"What we're seeing in this new evolution of digitally designed, engineered and manufactured aircraft is a 50% improvement in overall production quality and as much as a 98% reduction in drilling defects," said Andrew Stark, Boeing T-7A Red Hawk production director. "It's a new way of producing airplanes with improved quality throughout the whole journey."

https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2021/may/7312-first-boeing-saab-t-7a-red-hawk-advanced-trainer-assembled-in-record-time.html

(https://www.airrecognition.com/images/stories/news/2021/may/First_Boeing-Saab_T-7A_Red_Hawk_advanced_trainer_assembled_in_record_time.jpg)
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 18/06/2021 | 22:46 uur
US Air Force delays expected T-7A Milestone C decision, requests less money

18 JUNE 2021

by Pat Host

The US Air Force (USAF) has delayed its expected Milestone C decision for the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk jet trainer because of technical issues, and is requesting less money for the programme in fiscal year (FY) 2022 than previously anticipated.

(https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_736-jdw-12581.jpg?sfvrsn=4f091616_2)
An undated photo of the USAF Boeing T-7A Red Hawk jet trainer. The USAF is delaying its Milestone C decision for the programme because of parts shortages, initial design delays, and additional testing required due to discovery of aircraft wing rock. (Boeing)

The review for whether the T-7A programme should enter low-rate initial production (LRIP) from engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) is scheduled for July–September 2023, according to the service's FY 2022 budget request. The USAF, in its FY 2021 budget proposal, expected Milestone C to take place in April–June 2022. USAF spokesman Captain Jacob Bailey said on 17 June that the most recent Milestone C estimate had it planned for October–November 2022.

Capt Bailey said on 16 June that the Milestone C delay was caused by parts shortages and initial design delays, and additional testing was required because of the discovery of aircraft wing rock.

According to Capt Bailey, wing rock is a phenomenon that often occurs on aircraft with swept wings. At high angles of attack, one of the wings may begin to stall, resulting in the aircraft rolling slightly to that side.

When the stalled wing goes down, it stops stalling. However, the opposite wing begins to stall, making the aircraft roll to the other side. The process repeats, causing the aircraft to rock back and forth.

The T-7A programme has inherent schedule risk because of the aggressive nature of the programme's schedule, Capt Bailey said.

Already a Janes subscriber? Read the full article via the Client Login

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/us-air-force-delays-expected-t-7a-milestone-c-decision-requests-less-money

Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 25/10/2021 | 12:31 uur
(https://www.thedrive.com/content/2021/10/T-7-Navy-Trainer.jpeg?quality=85&width=1440&quality=70)
Seen in USN colours as part of Boeing's pitch for the service's Undergraduate Jet Training System requirement, the T-7A Red Hawk is likely to be one of the candidate platforms put forward for the USN's recently released Tactical Surrogate Aircraft requirement.


Navy Follows Air Force In Wanting Another Jet Trainer Variant For Aggressor And Support Roles


The chosen trainer would be expected to offer fighter-like qualities and take the strain off the frontline combat fleet.

..../.....

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42839/navy-follows-air-force-in-wanting-another-jet-trainer-variant-for-aggressor-and-support-roles

US Navy seeks new 'Aggressor' training aircraft

The US Navy (USN) has issued a request for information (RFI) for a new Aggressor aircraft for 'red air' combat training.

The Tactical Surrogate Aircraft (TSA) requirement released on 21 October would see a new aircraft type perform three primary pilot training missions, namely to augment flight time and training in front-line type model series aircraft, provide adversary air support, and to serve as a flight lead aircraft for fleet replacement squadrons.

"The aircraft needs to simulate and/or replicate current and future fighter aircraft systems by providing the training environment and relevant experience to build tactical skills, systems management skills, and decision-making skills required for weapon system employment actions. These actions will be influenced by environmental information, avionics outputs, sensor data, weapon-cueing, and manoeuvre elements," the RFI said.

Under the terms of the solicitation, the USN intends to procure a notional 64 aircraft over three to four years starting from fiscal year (FY) 2024 or FY 2025.

Requirements issued by the service include a twin-seat aircraft that can be configured for single-pilot operation, an open architecture avionics suite with large-area cockpit displays that can replicate the displays and systems of front-line aircraft, a low-cost helmet-mounted display system, hands-on throttle and stick pilot controls, single pylons under each wing that can carry weapons, fuel tanks, and/or electronic warfare/attack pods. It should have a speed of Mach 0.9 at 10,000 ft, a service ceiling of 45,000 ft, a +7.5 g structural limit, and a 90-minute endurance (including 30 minutes of tactical manoeuvring).

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/us-navy-seeks-new-aggressor-training-aircraft

Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 30/04/2022 | 14:06 uur
Boeing Unveils First T-7A Red Hawk Advanced Trainer Jet to be Delivered to the U.S. Air Force

(https://boeing.mediaroom.com/image/MSF22-012-003_medres.jpg)
Apr 28, 2022
The first T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer has rolled out of the production facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Ushering in a new era of training for U.S. Air Force fighter and bomber pilots. The jets have red tails to honor the legendary Tuskegee Airmen who flew their aircraft with red tails during World War II. First jets scheduled to arrive at Joint Base San Antonio- Randolph next year. (Photo Credit- Eric Shindelbower)


ST. LOUIS, April 28, 2022 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] has unveiled the first T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer jet to be delivered to the U.S. Air Force. The jet, one of 351 the U.S. Air Force plans to order, was unveiled prior to official delivery.

The fully digitally designed aircraft was built and tested using advanced manufacturing, agile software development and digital engineering technology significantly reducing the time from design to first flight. The aircraft also features open architecture software, providing growth and flexibility to meet future mission needs.

"We're excited and honored to deliver this digitally advanced, next-generation trainer to the U.S. Air Force," said Ted Colbert, president and CEO, Boeing Defense, Space & Security. "This aircraft is a tangible example of how Boeing, its suppliers and partners are leading the digital engineering revolution. T-7A will prepare pilots for future missions for decades to come."

The T-7A Red Hawk incorporates a red-tailed livery in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. These airmen made up the first African American aviation unit to serve in the U.S. military.

"The Tuskegee Airmen are one of the most celebrated units in our Air Force history, and the  T-7A honors the bravery and skill of these trailblazers, said Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Chief of Staff of the Air Force. "Like the Airmen they were named and painted to pay homage to, the T-7A Red Hawks break down the barriers of flight. These digitally-engineered aircraft will make it possible for a diverse cross section of future fighter and bomber pilots to be trained, and provide an advanced training system and capabilities that will meet the demands of today's and tomorrow's national security environment."

The aircraft will remain in St. Louis where it will undergo ground and flight tests before being delivered to the U.S. Air Force. The T-7A program resides at Boeing's St. Louis facility with the aft section of the trainer being built by Saab in Linkoping, Sweden. Saab will soon start producing that section at their new production facility in West Lafayette, Indiana.

https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=131043#assets_20295_131043-117
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 01/03/2023 | 13:30 uur
Boeing Proposes T-7 Advanced Trainer for Australia?s Future Defence Pilots

- The new T-7 is an integrated aircraft and simulator system to train pilots.
- Already the trainer program of record for the U.S. Air Force, the T-7 offers Australia further interoperability with a key ally.

MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb. 28, 2023 ? Boeing [NYSE: BA] is ready to offer its T-7 advanced trainer to Australia to help ensure the mission-readiness of the country?s future defence pilots. The T-7 is a new cost-effective system combining a trainer aircraft with a ground-based simulator to replace older trainers.

The T-7 could be used to train future Australian pilots of F/A-18F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, F-35s and other defence aircraft using live and ?as real-as-it-gets? virtual simulation.

The announcement was made during the Avalon 2023 Australian International Airshow, where Boeing brought a T-7 simulator for customer demonstrations.

?The T-7 would fit right into the pilot training and aircraft sustainment our team currently provides for the Australian Defence Force,? said Scott Carpendale, vice president and managing director, Boeing Defence Australia. ?Because the U.S. and Australia already have a high degree of interoperability due to flying similar aircraft types, an Australian T-7 could lead to new joint training scenarios between the two countries.?

The T-7 (https://www.boeing.com/defense/t-7a/index.page)?s digital open architecture and reconfigurable cockpit means the trainer/simulator can be updated rapidly for decades to come. 

https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=131216
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 24/04/2023 | 09:29 uur
T-7 Trainer?s IOC Slips Again, This Time to Spring 2027

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/t-7a-ioc-delayed-spring-2027/

Why USAF?s New T-7 Trainer Won?t Start Production for 2 More Years

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/new-t-7-trainer-wont-start-production-2-more-years/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 29/06/2023 | 09:03 uur
Boeing Completes T-7A First Flight With U.S. Air Force

- Milestone marks the start of the engineering and manufacturing development phase of the program
- Boeing and the Air Force tested the aircraft in flight, validating key aspects of the next-generation trainer

(https://www.thedrive.com/uploads/2023/06/28/t-7-first-flight.jpg?auto=webp&crop=16%3A9&auto=webp&optimize=high&quality=70&width=1920)
Jun 28, 2023

Boeing and the U.S. Air Force today completed the inaugural flight of the service's first T-7A Red Hawk, marking the start of the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the program. (Photo: Boeing)


ST. LOUIS, June 28, 2023—Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Air Force today completed the inaugural flight of the service's first T-7A Red Hawk, marking the start of the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the program.

During the 1 hour and 3 minute flight, U.S. Air Force Maj. Bryce Turner, 416th Test Squadron, and Steve Schmidt, Boeing T-7 chief test pilot, validated key aspects of the aircraft and demonstrated the power and agility of the Air Force's first advanced trainer to be digitally designed, built and tested. The aircraft is one of five EMD aircraft that will be delivered to the Air Force Air Education and Training Command for further testing.

"The stable performance of the aircraft and its advanced cockpit and systems are game changers for U.S. Air Force student pilots and instructors alike," said Turner, whose grandfather and father were both U.S. Air Force fighter pilots. "We've come a long way in training since my family role models flew."

The T-7A's vibrant red tails are a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American U.S. military aviators who flew red-tailed fighters during World War II.

The T-7A will enhance warfighter training through:
"This first flight with the Air Force represents our team's commitment to delivering a new level of safety and training for fighter and bomber pilots," said Evelyn Moore, vice president and program manager, Boeing T-7 Programs. "We remain focused on engineering ways to better prepare warfighters for changing mission demands and emerging threats."

"This is an exciting time for the entire team," said Col. Kirt Cassell, U.S. Air Force T-7A Red Hawk program manager. "The Red Hawk's digital design integrating advanced training capabilities will drastically improve pilot training for the next generation of fighter and bomber pilots."

The T-7A moved from firm concept to flight testing in 36 months. A combination of model-based engineering, 3D design and advanced manufacturing increased first-time quality by 75% and reduced assembly hours by 80%.

In 2018, the Air Force awarded Boeing a $9.2 billion contract for 351 T-7A advanced trainers, 46 simulators and support. The T-7A will replace the Air Force's aging T-38 aircraft.

https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=131294#assets_20295_131294-117

The T-7A Red Hawk Jet Trainer Has Taken Its First Flight

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/the-t-7a-red-hawk-jet-trainer-has-taken-its-first-flight
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Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Lynxian op 29/06/2023 | 11:20 uur
Mooie bak hoor!
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Sparkplug op 29/06/2023 | 11:35 uur
Citaat van: Lynxian op 29/06/2023 | 11:20 uurMooie bak hoor!

Lijkt mij dat het zeker geen straf zal zijn als je hierop moet lessen.
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 13/09/2023 | 13:32 uur
Boeing to deliver first T-7 to US Air Force, outlines testing plans

(https://www.defensenews.com/resizer/aM_mesXpicx_MiRYCG6jwhFr7xM=/1024x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/7HRI4KZWLNEK7DNTTV5ANGYJZE.jpg)

Boeing plans to deliver the U.S. Air Force's first T-7A Red Hawk on Tuesday, marking a major milestone for the trainer aircraft that has struggled with safety issues, software problems and schedule slips.

In a briefing at the Air and Space Forces Association's Air, Space and Cyber conference in National Harbor, Maryland, Col. Kirt Cassell, who leads the service's T-7A division, and Evelyn Moore, Boeing's vice president and program manager for the aircraft, also outlined plans for further deliveries and testing of the critical trainer.

The Air Force plans to buy 351 T-7s to replace its fleet of 504 aging T-38 Talon trainers. T-7s are designed to emulate a fifth-generation fighter, and will help new pilots learn how to fly advanced jets such as the F-22 and F-35.

.../...

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/09/12/boeing-to-deliver-first-t-7-to-us-air-force-outlines-testing-plans/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 07/11/2023 | 08:32 uur
CitaatUSAF assessing its future post-F-16 affordable mass requirements. "Might be an improved F-16, might be an F-7 (armed T-7), but what is clear is that we can't afford to police the Super Bowl with an F-22*". - official.
https://twitter.com/GarethJennings3/status/1721471061038870598?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1721471061038870598%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

Zal de T-7A toch nog doorontwikkeld worden naar een Light/Attack Fighter ala F(A)-7

'Performs Like A Fighter'! Boeing-SAAB T-7A Red Hawk Aircraft
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 08/11/2023 | 16:35 uur
Air Force weighing turning T-7 into F-7 armed light attack jet: Official

Despite not talking to Boeing about development of a F-7 armed light attack aircraft based off the T-7A Red Hawk, a USAF official has revealed the service is interested in such a concept, and could look to replace older F-16s with it.

A US Air Force official has revealed the service is actively considering a new, armed variant of the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk, dubbed F-7, which could potentially replace older F-16 fighter jets.

A request for information (RFI) will be prepared to outline necessary requirements to industry, the official told Breaking Defense at the International Fighter Conference in Madrid, under the Chatham House Rule, adding that USAF has "not talked" to Boeing about developing the aircraft.

The decision to move out with a RFI implies that USAF wants to include the views of other contractors capable of weapons integration and additional technologies. The T-7 was built with an open architecture and digital design, which lend themselves to such development and industry collaboration.

The official declined to further elaborate on plans but Boeing has previously said the T-7, a trainer aircraft, could be retrofitted with missiles or bombs to replace Northrop Grumman F-5 and Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet platforms, according to Flight Global. A fleet of F-7s could help USAF maintain its shrinking fighter force structure as it seeks to offload aging weapon systems: while not as advanced as an F-35, an F-7 conceptually would provide roughly the same capability as a fourth-generation fighter.

Though the official at the conference said the Air Force had not talked to Boeing about developing a fighter variant of the T-7, a Boeing official told Breaking Defense the company and the service have discussed the T-7's future.

"Dialogue, conversations and brainstorming going on right now [with the US Air Force] are about T-7 next-generation training," said the Boeing official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "We've been very sensitive to focus on our first customer, so we are purposely delaying future discussion" of a F-7 or light attack jet type of concept.

The official added, "We don't want to drive bad perceptions internally with the Air Force, as we talk about all the great stuff that [the Red Hawk] is going to do in the future. Job number one is getting this jet to them because they really need it."

In a company statement issued today a Boeing spokesperson said, "We have always envisioned growth for the T-7 aircraft and believe it's an excellent candidate to fulfill many roles in the future, but right now we are focused on delivering the T-7A Red Hawk to the USAF as quickly and safely as possible."

Development issues relating to the T-7's ejection seat have forced an over two-year delay on the program, though the Air Force has stated that no further significant changes are expected to be made by Boeing before a Milestone C low-rate production decision takes place in 2025. The manufacturer has lost over $1.1 billion on the troubled effort, which covers delivery of 351 aircraft, 46 ground based training systems and related equipment.

A first of five T-7A Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) aircraft was accepted by the USAF in September. Two contractor owned jets have also completed over 500 flight hours. The program has recorded 9000 data points, added the Boeing official.

The trainer was originally designed using digital tools, simulation modeling and advanced manufacturing techniques to succeed the T-38C Talon.

The USAF has said that acquisition of the Red Hawk will allow pilots to focus on a wide range of technologies including data links, simulated radars, smart weapons and defensive management systems.

Industry has often turned training aircraft into light fighters, such as South Korea's FA-50, developed off the T-50 supersonic trainer, and Britain's Hawk.

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11/air-force-weighing-turning-t-7-into-f-7-armed-light-attack-jet-official/
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 10/11/2023 | 08:28 uur
First Boeing T-7A Red Hawk lands at Edwards AFB to start USAF developmental flight test campaign

The first Boeing T-7A Red Hawk successfully arrived at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on Nov. 8, 2023, Chase Kohler, 412th Test Wing Public Affairs, reports. This milestone formally commences the Air Force's developmental flight test campaign for the aircraft, aimed at fielding a replacement pilot training capability for the 1960s-era Northrop T-38 Talon.

(https://www.airrecognition.com/images/stories/news/2023/November/First_Boeing_T-7A_Red_Hawk_lands_at_Edwards_AFB_to_start_USAF_developmental_flight_test_campaign_1.jpg)

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https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2023-news-aviation-aerospace/november/9354-first-boeing-t-7a-red-hawk-lands-at-edwards-afb-to-start-usaf-developmental-flight-test-campaign.html
Titel: Re: T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?
Bericht door: Harald op 10/11/2023 | 09:29 uur
T-7 Arrives At Edwards, USAF Eyeing Light Fighter Version

Formal T-7 flight testing is now set to begin and talk about an F-7 fighter version could have broader ramifications for the Air Force.

.../...

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/t-7-arrives-at-edwards-usaf-eyeing-light-fighter-version