T-X programma ... the new trainer ... or next light multi-roll fighter ?

[Harald]

U.S. Air Force Receives Second T-7A Red Hawk Jet Trainer to Modernize Pilot Training.

Boeing has delivered the second T-7A Red Hawk advanced jet trainer to the U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The delivery advances the Air Force's effort to modernize pilot training with digital systems built for future fighter and bomber operations.

The Boeing Red Hawk team has officially delivered its second T-7A advanced jet trainer to the U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command, according to information published January 15, 2026, by the Boeing Defense X account. The aircraft arrived at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, reinforcing the Air Force's push to replace aging T-38 trainers with a digitally designed platform intended to better prepare pilots for fifth and sixth-generation combat aircraft.

The delivery to the U.S. Air Force confirms the T-7A Red Hawk's transition into early operational use, following its first aircraft arrival earlier this month. Together, these aircraft will begin hands-on evaluation by AETC as the command finalizes its revised training syllabus, integrates digital maintenance workflows, and refines operational procedures. Boeing's delivery of a second production representative jet within such a short window reflects the company's push to accelerate full-rate production while addressing key capability gaps that have emerged over decades of reliance on the aging T-38 Talon.

For over 60 years, the Northrop T-38 Talon formed the backbone of U.S. Air Force pilot training. First flown in 1959 and introduced in 1961, the T-38 served as the primary supersonic trainer for generations of pilots. However, its analog cockpit, limited avionics suite, and dated flight envelope increasingly failed to prepare pilots to transition to fifth-generation platforms such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. The aircraft's inability to simulate modern digital combat environments became a growing concern for operational commands, driving the Air Force to seek a purpose-built replacement through the T-X program.

The T-7A Red Hawk, developed by Boeing in partnership with Sweden's Saab, was selected to answer that need. Designed entirely through digital engineering methods, the T-7A integrates a high-fidelity cockpit, reconfigurable displays, and fly-by-wire flight controls tailored to emulate the performance and systems of front-line fighters. With advanced embedded training capabilities, the Red Hawk can simulate air-to-air threats, radar engagements, and electronic warfare conditions mid-flight. These features were impossible with the T-38 and now enable faster, more adaptable pilot training cycles at lower long-term cost.

From a performance standpoint, the T-7A represents a generational leap. It features an improved thrust-to-weight ratio, high angle-of-attack tolerance, and advanced maneuverability that support G-loads up to 8+. This allows instructors to introduce complex flight profiles, aggressive maneuvering, and energy management training from the early stages of the pilot development pipeline. The aircraft's large-area touchscreen display, heads-up interface, and fully digital avionics enable a seamless transition from ground-based simulation environments to airborne tactical training. This compresses the learning curve while enhancing mission readiness.

In addition to pilot-focused upgrades, the Red Hawk significantly improves life cycle management. Boeing's use of a digital thread from initial design through manufacturing enables predictive maintenance, faster part replacement, and real-time diagnostics. The aircraft is also built with open architecture systems, meaning it can be easily updated to accommodate new training scenarios, software packages, or interface changes without costly redesigns.

The second aircraft delivered to JBSA-Randolph will support operational evaluation, instructor pilot qualification, and ground crew sustainment training. The aircraft are currently being integrated into the 99th Flying Training Squadron, historically linked to the Tuskegee Airmen, as AETC prepares for broader rollout across its training bases. The squadron's symbolic lineage matches the Red Hawk's name and livery, which honor the legacy of the pioneering African-American aviators of World War II.

While the Air Force originally expected T-7A deliveries to begin in 2024, program milestones were adjusted to prioritize flight safety, software maturity, and design optimization. In 2026, early deliveries have resumed through a measured rollout, with additional aircraft scheduled for delivery to other training installations, including Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi, Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma, and Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas.

Official program documentation confirms that more than 300 T-7As will be fielded across these locations through the early 2030s, fully replacing the T-38 Talon fleet. With the global fighter landscape evolving rapidly and near-peer competitors fielding more agile, networked, and lethal air capabilities, the U.S. Air Force's investment in the T-7A program reinforces its commitment to maintaining tactical superiority through modern, high-fidelity pilot training.

The Red Hawk is not simply a replacement. It is a systems-level upgrade that reflects the Air Force's pivot toward digitally driven, threat-informed training. By delivering a trainer aircraft that simulates the cognitive and physical demands of fifth-generation combat operations, the T-7A prepares the next generation of U.S. pilots to operate faster, make smarter decisions, and dominate contested airspace.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2026/u-s-air-force-receives-second-t-7a-red-hawk-jet-to-modernize-pilot-training

[Harald]

What New T-7A Red Hawk Offers as Next Trainer Aircraft for Future U.S. Fighter and Bomber Pilots

The U.S. Air Force has begun operational introduction of the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, following the delivery of the first aircraft in early December 2025. The new trainer is designed to prepare pilots for fifth-generation jets with digital flight systems, high agility, and modern threat simulation that the retiring T-38 cannot support.

The U.S. Air Force formally launched its transition to the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk this month, a move senior officials described as a long-awaited overhaul of the service's training pipeline. The first aircraft arrived at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph on December 5, according to Air Education and Training Command personnel, who noted that the new jet introduces a digital-by-design cockpit, expanded high-angle-of-attack maneuvering, and advanced simulation links intended better to mirror the demands of F-35 and B-21 operations. While the T-38 Talon has served for more than six decades, instructors say its aging airframe no longer reflects the performance or mission complexity expected of next-generation combat aviators.

The T-7A RedHawk is a purpose-built training aircraft developed by Boeing in collaboration with Saab, tailored to meet the demands of next-generation U.S. Air Force aircrews. Unlike the T-38, which was designed in the early Cold War era for training pilots bound for third-generation aircraft, the RedHawk is engineered from the ground up to replicate the performance characteristics and tactical complexity of advanced platforms like the F-35, F-22, and B-21.

This new trainer introduces significant advancements in speed, handling, and training fidelity. Capable of supersonic flight, the T-7A is powered by a GE F404 engine and features fly-by-wire controls, digital avionics, and onboard simulation systems that allow pilots to train against virtual threats in real time. Its modular design supports rapid system upgrades, and its open-architecture software enables mission profile customization to reflect modern operational environments.

For the U.S. Air Force, the arrival of the T-7A signals more than a hardware transition. It ushers in a full-spectrum transformation of how aircrew candidates are trained, evaluated, and prepared for combat. The RedHawk is integrated with a digital ground-based training ecosystem that includes immersive simulators, augmented reality systems, and data-driven performance analytics. This enables adaptive training paths that respond to each student's progress, minimizing time-to-readiness while enhancing overall pilot quality.

The T-38, although revolutionary in its day, has become increasingly outdated as airpower requirements have evolved. Its limited thrust-to-weight ratio, outdated avionics, and subsonic performance have made it an inadequate stepping stone to fifth-generation aircraft. The RedHawk, by contrast, delivers aerodynamic performance, sensor integration, and cockpit ergonomics that closely align with frontline aircraft, reducing the training gap and accelerating pilot transition.

With 351 aircraft planned under a $9.2 billion procurement contract, the T-7A will form the core of the Air Force's undergraduate pilot training pipeline over the coming decades. Delivery schedules project an Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by 2027, with full fleet deployment across key training bases into the 2030s. The program also includes simulators, instructor stations, maintenance trainers, and digital curriculum infrastructure designed to operate as a unified training system.

From an operational standpoint, the T-7A is also expected to reduce long-term maintenance costs. Built using digital engineering and 3D model-based design, the aircraft features simplified access panels, fewer unique parts, and predictive maintenance systems. These improvements aim to increase aircraft availability while reducing ground crew sustainment workloads.

The RedHawk's introduction comes at a time of heightened strategic competition and growing demand for highly skilled pilots trained for peer-level air combat. As adversaries continue to develop stealth platforms and integrated air defense systems, U.S. pilot preparation must be both technologically advanced and tactically rigorous. The T-7A addresses these challenges by replicating mission conditions that were previously untrainable in the legacy T-38 environment.

The shift to the T-7A RedHawk represents not just a fleet modernization but a doctrinal leap forward in how the United States prepares its pilots for modern warfare. It redefines what a training aircraft can offer and positions the U.S. Air Force to maintain its tactical edge for decades to come.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/what-new-t-7a-red-hawk-offers-as-next-trainer-aircraft-for-future-u-s-fighter-and-bomber-pilots

[Harald]

BAE Systems, Boeing and Saab combine to pitch T-7A as RAF's next advanced jet trainer
https://euro-sd.com/2025/11/major-news/47830/t-7a-pitched-as-rafs-next-ajt/

BAE Systems, Boeing and Saab announced on 18 November 2025 that they have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) fast-jet trainer programme, leveraging the Boeing/Saab T-7A Red Hawk advanced jet trainer as the core of the training system and creating a path for the three companies to support future international pilot training opportunities.

The companies will collaborate on a training system, integrating live and synthetic training capability and associated mission systems and will explore further opportunities for growing the UK supply chain on the aircraft. BAE Systems will lead the activity, which will include a UK-based final assembly facility.

The requirement for a new UK advanced jet trainer to replace the RAF's fleet of 28 BAE Systems Hawk T2s was set out in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review.

The original Hawk T1, which is still flown by the RAF's Red Arrows aerobatic team, first entered RAF service in 1976, with the Hawk T2, featuring advanced avionics and a glass cockpit, was introduced in 2004.

The T-7A Red Hawk, meanwhile, was selected by the US Air Force as the centrepiece of its Advanced Pilot Training System (APTS) in 2018.

It was described in a joint Boeing/Saab/BAE Systems press release as "a leading-edge, integrated-live, virtual and constructive fourth-, fifth- and sixth-generation aircrew training system that delivers a multi-generational leap in capability. Its versatile design allows it to adapt to changing technologies and mission requirements, training new pilots to fly the most advanced multi-role fighter/fast-jet and bomber aircraft in the world."

Powered by a single General Electric F404-GE-103 afterburning turbofan delivering 49 kN of thrust dry and 77 kN with afterburner, the T-7A has a maximum speed of Mach 0.975, a maximum altitude of 45,000 ft (13,716 m), a maximum angle of attack of 30° and a maximum g limit of 8 g, according to the Boeing website.

The aircraft was designed for ease of access to maintenance panels and avionics compartments and increased reliability to reduce the impact of planned and unplanned maintenance, thus increasing pilot proficiency, safety and force readiness.

The wider APTS, Boeing states, "includes state-of-the-art ground-based training, the most advanced visual display systems ever fielded in a simulator and integrated-live, virtual and constructive (I-LVC) and embedded training".

Bernd Peters, vice president of business development and strategy for Boeing Defense, Space & Security, was quoted as stating, "Together, Boeing with Saab and now BAE Systems will offer innovative training solutions to best prepare RAF pilots for the future, including advanced fourth-, fifth- and sixth-generation fighters. This collaboration enhances the best of our technological capabilities, strengthens the transatlantic industrial base and offers opportunities for co-operative development."

Lars Tossman, the head of Saab's Aeronautics business area, added, "The strong partnership between Boeing and Saab developed the T-7 to be the world's best solution for future pilot training. By working with BAE Systems, Saab believes the UK can gain a worthy successor to the Hawk that is the right choice for pilots for decades to come."

Simon Barnes, group managing director for BAE Systems' Air sector, stated, "Our new collaboration with Boeing and Saab will enable us to present a compelling offer to the UK Royal Air Force and our global customers, leveraging the latest tech innovation in training systems and a world-class jet trainer aircraft. We're committed to ensuring this solution offers the best overall outcome for the nation to support the UK's combat air readiness and deliver economic benefit."

[Sparkplug]

Ok, dat laatste is wel een belangrijk detail. Dat verbaasd me, dus basis opleiding met nieuw toestel en snelle overschakeling naar F-18, F-35  e.d. en ook met simvliegen natuurlijk.
Maar in de opleiding dus niet daadwerkelijk landen en starten op en van vliegdekschepen.

Dat is inderdaad de huidige situatie. In het TWZ artikel wordt ook aangegeven dat de M-346N desgewenst toch carrier capable zou kunnen worden gemaakt. Vereist wel de nodige verbeteringen aan het airframe en landingsgestel.

[Harald]

Veel hangt af van de T-45 Goshawk. Als deze eerder moet worden vervangen dan dat de T-7A operationeel wordt, dan moet je ook wel andere mogelijkheden bekijken.

De Goshawk vervanger hoeft ook niet CATOBAR geschikt te zijn. Dus geen daadwerkelijke landingen en katapult starts meer op een vliegkampschip. Is voor de U.S. Navy geen eis meer.

Ok, dat laatste is wel een belangrijk detail. Dat verbaasd me, dus basis opleiding met nieuw toestel en snelle overschakeling naar F-18, F-35  e.d. en ook met simvliegen natuurlijk.
Maar in de opleiding dus niet daadwerkelijk landen en starten op en van vliegdekschepen.

[Sparkplug]

Dat ze bij de US Navy nog kijken naar een ander toestel en niet ook gaan voor de T-7A

.../...

Veel hangt af van de T-45 Goshawk. Als deze eerder moet worden vervangen dan dat de T-7A operationeel wordt, dan moet je ook wel andere mogelijkheden bekijken.

De Goshawk vervanger hoeft ook niet CATOBAR geschikt te zijn. Dus geen daadwerkelijke landingen en katapult starts meer op een vliegkampschip. Is voor de U.S. Navy geen eis meer.

[Harald]

Dat ze bij de US Navy nog kijken naar een ander toestel en niet ook gaan voor de T-7A



We Fly Aboard The M-346 That Could Become The Navy's Next Jet Trainer

We were given full access to experience exactly what this jet trainer could offer as a potential T-45 Goshawk replacement for the U.S. Navy.

https://www.twz.com/air/flying-in-the-m-346-beechcrafts-pitch-for-the-navys-next-jet-trainer

[Harald]

Saab highlights the T-7A Red Hawk's ability to simulate Eurofighter behavior through software change.

In an exclusive interview conducted during the FEINDEF 2025 exhibition in Madrid, Ingemar Karlsson, Saab's Country Manager for Spain and Portugal, provided new insights into the company's vision for the T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer aircraft in the European market. Karlsson explained that Saab had just launched the T-7A's marketing efforts in Europe and that the early response has been notably positive.

Ingemar Karlsson emphasized the all-in-one nature of the system, stating that the T-7A is not merely a jet but an integrated training ecosystem built around the pilot. This includes digital planning, ground-based preparation, and adaptive in-flight training, all of which are connected to the Ground-Based Training System (GBTS), a comprehensive simulator suite equipped with high-fidelity crew stations, dynamic motion seats, and 8K native projectors offering 16 times the clarity of traditional HD video. The GBTS replicates the avionics and flight dynamics of operational fighter jets, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, and supports live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) training scenarios. It is designed to work seamlessly with the T-7A aircraft for embedded exercises, offering scalable and realistic mission rehearsal environments.

The GBTS and the aircraft both use an open systems architecture that facilitates rapid software updates and technology integration. As reported by Karlsson, this enables the T-7A to simulate the systems and behaviors of modern fighter jets such as the Eurofighter. Through software reconfiguration, pilots can train in environments that mimic the interface, radar, flight envelope, and cockpit dynamics of operational combat aircraft. This capability enhances readiness while reducing reliance on expensive flight hours in front-line fighters. For instance, pilots trained on the T-7A become familiar with digital glass cockpits, touchscreens, HUDs, and synthetic vision systems resembling those of fifth-generation platforms like the F-35. Additionally, the aircraft's fly-by-wire control system, equipped with features such as auto-trim, G-limiting, and angle-of-attack limiters, allows for safe execution of high-G maneuvers and complex flight profiles, providing immersive simulations that replicate the fighter's operational environment.

The T-7A Red Hawk, formerly known as the T-X, is the result of a long-term collaboration between Boeing and Saab, which began with the signing of a Joint Development Agreement in December 2013. This cooperation led to the creation of an all-new advanced pilot training system, designed from the ground up to replace the U.S. Air Force's aging T-38 Talon. The U.S. Air Force officially selected the Boeing–Saab design in September 2018, awarding a $9.2 billion contract that includes the delivery of 351 aircraft, and a full ground-based training system including 46 simulators. The aircraft received its official designation as T-7A Red Hawk in 2019, in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen who flew red-tailed P-51 Mustangs during World War II. The first production representative jets (PRJ) completed more than 500 test flights and achieved over 9,000 test points even before the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) aircraft began flying. The T-X PRJ went from concept to first flight in only 36 months, a timeline enabled by advanced digital engineering, model-based systems development, and 3D design.

The design and production of the T-7A involve a transatlantic industrial effort. Saab is responsible for the fully installed aft fuselage section, which includes the area from behind the cockpit to the tail cone, excluding the wings, fins, and rudders. The EMD-phase units were manufactured in Saab's facility in Linköping, Sweden, while initial production is underway at Saab's newly established factory in West Lafayette, Indiana. This facility, inaugurated in October 2021, was completed on time and on budget and is expected to employ up to 300 personnel by 2027. Saab's U.S. site not only handles production but also supports advanced R&D in autonomy, artificial intelligence, and next-generation manufacturing processes. The rapid assembly of components is a testament to the T-7A's digital design. For example, Saab's aft section can be joined with Boeing's forward fuselage in under 30 minutes, ensuring precision and reducing costs. The digital supply chain also supports full-size determinant assembly, minimizing the need for tooling and manual adjustments.

Recent milestones in the T-7A program highlight the aircraft's progress toward operational deployment. On December 20, 2024, Boeing delivered the fifth and final EMD aircraft, tail number APT-5, to the U.S. Air Force. All five EMD aircraft have been assigned to Edwards Air Force Base for comprehensive testing. One major event took place on April 16, 2025, when the 846th Test Squadron at Holloman AFB successfully conducted a high-speed sled test of the T-7A's escape system. This test simulated a 450-knot ejection and confirmed the system's ability to safely accommodate a wide range of pilot body types. The redesigned canopy and seat sequencer reduce injury risk by optimizing parachute deployment timing and debris management. This milestone followed earlier concerns about the ejection system that led to delays, but the test results now confirm compliance with key USAF safety standards.

Looking ahead, the T-7A Red Hawk is expected to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by 2027, according to Darlene Costello, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Air Force Acquisition, Technology & Logistics. Training squadrons have already begun curriculum integration in preparation for widespread use. The T-7A has generated interest from other armed forces as well. Boeing and Saab are actively marketing variants to Australia, Japan, and NATO countries, with the potential for sales exceeding 2,700 aircraft globally. The aircraft is also being considered by the U.S. Navy for its Tactical Surrogate Aircraft and Undergraduate Jet Training System programs, which together could require over 200 additional units.

Saab executives have emphasized how the T-7A program reflects the company's core strengths in aeronautical design and systems integration. They highlighted how Saab took "three giant steps in one leap" by teaming with Boeing, re-entering the trainer aircraft market, and co-developing a clean-sheet solution tailored to the needs of the USAF. Saab's engineers contributed to both the structural layout and digital development of the aircraft. They also underlined that the digital engineering practices used for the T-7A will likely become the new standard for military aircraft production. These innovations allow not only faster prototyping and manufacturing but also higher design fidelity, better system integration, and lower long-term maintenance requirements. Saab delivered seven aft sections from Sweden for the EMD phase, and from now on, all production aircraft will use aft sections assembled in Indiana.

The T-7A Red Hawk's embedded systems, adaptive design, and digital architecture align with the USAF's vision for a more agile and data-driven force. The transition from the T-38 to the T-7A also reflects broader trends in global air forces seeking scalable, multirole-capable trainers. The aircraft's combination of physical performance, simulation integration, and digital support systems positions it as a strong contender in the future international training aircraft market. With its symbolic red tail, the Red Hawk honors aviation heritage while representing a significant step forward in modern pilot preparation.

The T-7A Red Hawk is powered by a single General Electric F404-GE-103 afterburning turbofan engine capable of delivering up to 17,700 pounds of thrust with afterburner, supporting a maximum speed of Mach 0.975 and high-agility performance with 8-g maneuverability and a 30° angle of attack. Designed for modern pilot training, the aircraft incorporates advanced technologies such as a digital glass cockpit, fly-by-wire controls, and tandem seating to enhance instructor-student communication. Its integrated training system includes embedded simulation for electronic warfare, radar, and weapons handling, allowing for a complete training experience without the need of external pods. The T-7A's Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) training capability can be networked with ground-based simulators, enhancing realism and coordination across multiple platforms. Additional design features focus on maintainability and lifecycle cost reduction, with modular systems, open-architecture software, and enhanced diagnostics. This engineering focus ensures high reliability, streamlined upgrades, and minimized operational costs compared to legacy platforms like the T-38.

The T-7A Red Hawk has a length of 14.30 meters, a wingspan of 9.32 meters, and a height of 4.11 meters. It accommodates two crew members in tandem for improved instructor-student interaction, and features a twin-fin tail design, providing excellent visibility and situational awareness for both instructor and student. The aircraft's empty weight is approximately 8,165 kilograms, with a gross weight of up to 9,979 kilograms, including a 2,000-kilogram fuel capacity stored in the fuselage. The T-7A is engineered to operate at altitudes up to 50,000 feet and can achieve a range of 1,830 kilometers, offering mission endurance that supports advanced training profiles. The configuration of the airframe and internal systems, combined with the aerodynamic profile and high-performance engine, ensures that the T-7A meets or exceeds the demanding requirements of modern military pilot training programs, with performance, safety, and interoperability built into every aspect of its design.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/interview-saab-highlights-the-t-7a-red-hawks-ability-to-simulate-eurofighter-behavior-through-software-change




The aircraft received its official designation as T-7A Red Hawk in 2019, in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen who flew red-tailed P-51 Mustangs during World War II.

[Harald]

Maar even hier geplaatst  Tender nieuwe trainer voor de US NAVY (vervanging T45 Goshawk)

https://www.pilootenvliegtuig.nl/militair/nieuwkomer-dingt-naar-u-s-navy-en-u-s-marine-corps-order/



De onbekende Amerikaanse nieuwkomer Stavatti Aerospace heeft de SM-31T Stiletto naar voren geschoven in een reactie op het verzoek om informatie voor het Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) van de Amerikaanse marine.

De Stiletto wordt ontworpen als een supersonische trainer van de volgende generatie en biedt volgens de fabrikant een moderne vervanging voor de verouderde T-45 Goshawk. Het toestel kan volgens Stavatti een rol spelen bij de middelzware en gevorderde vliegopleiding voor piloten van de U.S. Navy en U.S Marine Corps.

De SM-31 wordt leverbaar in drie configuraties: SM-31T (tweezits lesvliegtuig), SM-31S (eenzits jager) en SM-31U (onbemand autonoom vliegtuig). Het toestel is ontworpen om te voldoen aan de wereldwijde vraag naar trainingen voor piloten op supersonische vliegtuigen, vooral nu oudere platforms zoals de T-38 Talon en de F-5 Freedom Fighter aan het einde van hun technische levensduur komen.

Als aanvulling op de vlieginstructie integreert Stavatti's Ground-Based Training System een ��'vierlaags trainingssysteem', bestaande uit operationele vluchttrainers, trainingsapparaten voor eenheden, cockpitproceduretrainers en desktop avionica trainers.

Stavatti moet het in de race om het UJTS-project opnemen tegen zwaargewichten zoals Lockheed Martin, Textron en Boeing.

[Harald]

Inside T-7 Red Hawk Test Operations At Edwards AFB

T-7 Red Hawk Integrated Test Force director details testing progress that will enable a desperately needed production green light.

The U.S. Air Force's new advanced jet trainer aircraft, the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk, is deeply engaged in an accelerating and expanding flight test program at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The USAF's need for the Red Hawk is acute, with aged T-38 Talons bearing a heavy pilot training burden as Air Education And Training Command (AETC) struggles to meet pilot output targets.

The T-7 is designed to improve aircraft availability and it incorporates technology meant to accelerate training. "The T-7A is a generational change over the T-38 that's going to open up a lot of options for AETC," says Lt. Col. Jonathan "Gremlin" Aronoff, T-7A Integrated Test Force director.

A team of Air Force and Boeing pilots and engineers are working with the new trainer to generate sufficient data and confidence to endorse that the aircraft is ready for students and instructors to fly, and that the Red Hawk meets contractual requirements that would green-light Boeing to commence low-rate initial production.

Delays in the T-7 program have compounded USAF pilot training struggles, as detailed in May 2023 by Andrew Hunter, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. "Due to issues discovered in the early development and test phase of the program, the Air Force is delaying its Milestone C decision to initiate the buy of T-7A production aircraft. This will shift the T-7A program's initial operational capability [IOC] into the Spring of 2027. We are pursuing risk reduction activities to mitigate some of these schedule challenges," Hunter said in 2023.

However, significant progress is being made, with Red Hawks now flying with the Integrated Test Force at Edwards AFB, which is breeding confidence that the program is making good progress. "Everyone here is eager for the test work so we can get the airplane to AETC as fast as possible. They need the T-7A and we want to give it to them as quickly and as safely as we can," adds Aronoff. "We definitely don't have any excessive pressure on us, it's very much about working methodically to get the Air Force something it needs, and everyone's being incredibly respectful of how we do that."

.../...

https://www.twz.com/air/inside-t-7-red-hawk-test-operations-at-edwards-afb

[Harald]

Saab braces for 'couple of years' of 'stop-and-go' production instability on T-7A trainer fuselage

"I'm confident in the [T-7A] capability such that we have the facilities. It's not technical problems. It's more ... stop-and-go in production that we need to get the flow going right," Saab CEO Micael Johansson told investors.

It will take as much as two years before production woes on the Air Force T-7A Red Hawk trainer aft fuselage stop dragging down profits for Swedish sub-contractor Saab, according to the company's CEO.

Micael Johansson told investors during a third quarter earnings call today that problems with "start-up costs and under absorption [fixed manufacturing costs]" aligned to low-rate production of the T-7 will only correct themselves "over time."

"We are still burdened by that a bit," he said. "During the next couple of years, I would say it will take before we get back to sort of really good numbers" in the company's Aeronautics division.

Saab's Aeronautics division, which also counts prized aircraft like the Gripen fighter jet and GlobalEye AEW&C platform within its portfolio, recorded quarter three sales of 3.3 billion SEK (297 million USD).

Saab is responsible for providing aft fuselages for the T-7 trainer to prime contractor Boeing, and Johansson said his company plans to deliver "many" fuselages to its American partner from a contract covering "35ish" units. The aircraft is on order by USAF to replace the service's aging T-38 Talon.

In January, Saab received a $102 million order for the parts, which are produced out of the company's West Lafayette, Ind., facility.

"Boeing have estimated there will be a couple of thousand of these aircraft out there training pilots around the world and many in the US, so we just need to get through this" low volume production phase, said Johansson. "I'm confident in the [T-7A] capability such that we have the facilities. It's not technical problems. It's more ... stop-and-go in production that we need to get the flow going right."

He did not identify any supply chain bottlenecks linked to the "stop-and-go" production trend, but one bump in the road came when the Air Force decided to slash its T-7 fiscal 2025 procurement from 14 to seven aircraft.

If the Air Force continues to slow roll production, both Saab and Boeing will feel the effect, especially the US planemaker as it looks to iron out development phase issues and break the cycle of costly quarterly losses. Boeing declined to comment.

Safety risks linked to T-7 flight control software and escape system flaws have previously been shared by the Government Accountability Office, though Boeing has pushed back on such criticism, arguing that company-led flight tests have opened the way for smoother aircraft development.

Elsewhere in the call Johansson said it was a "surprise" when the company's North American arm received a formal request for information related to Brazil's acquisition of 36 Gripen E/F fighter jets. He stressed that the manufacturer will "collaborate with the authorities and provide information as they request." He noted that Saab had similarly cooperated with Brazilian and Swedish authorities over the matter and "no wrongdoing" was found.

https://breakingdefense.com/2024/10/saab-braces-for-couple-of-years-of-stop-and-go-production-instability-on-t-7a-trainer-fuselage/

[Harald]

Textron, Leonardo bank on M-346 global experience in looming race for Navy trainer

"The strength we think we bring is that [the Navy is] going to go from contract to actually starting to turn out students much quicker than any other competitors," a Textron executive told Breaking Defense.

Executives from Textron and Leonardo are hopeful that the real-world experience of the Italian firm's M-346 aircraft will help them land the right to supply the US Navy with its next-gen trainer, executives told Breaking Defense in a recent interview.

The two announced in September that they would go after the upcoming training program, which would likely put them up against Boeing's T-7A and the Lockheed Martin-KAI T-50.

In its effort to replace the aging T-45 trainers, the Navy put out a Request for Information last August for what's officially dubbed the "Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS)." It indicated a minimum buy of 145 aircraft and a contract award in 2026. That means a Request for Proposal could drop by the end of this year or early 2025, which would see the contest officially kick off.

A big part of the Textron-Leonardo team's pitch is that the M346 isn't just a jet, but is tied into a whole training enterprise that is already in use on a global scale, including international F-35 pilot training. Italy, Poland, Singapore, Israel, Greece and Qatar are all M-346 operators — and all but Qatar are either current or planned operators of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

"It's not just the airplane, it's a pull-up simulation system. It's developed courseware. It's a way of teaching that's already been validated for countries that are flying the F-35 today," Thomas Webster, Textron Aviation Defense's vice president of global sales and strategy, told Breaking Defense during last week's Sea Air Space symposium. "The strength we think we bring is that they're going to go from contract to actually starting to turn out students much quicker than any other competitors."

In particular, Webster and a set of executives from Leonardo emphasized the benefits of the International Flight Training School, a joint project between the Italian military and Leonardo, located in Decimomannu, Italy. Training at that facility is based around the M346, and a number of current or future F-35 operators — including Japan, Germany, Singapore, Austria, Canada, and the United Kingdom — have announced plans to take part in the school.

While cautioning that the final RFP from the Navy isn't out yet, Webster said there should only be "minor tweaks" needed to turn the M346 into what the companies are pitching as the "M346-N."

For instance, the M346 is capable of doing Field Carrier Landing Practice — basically, touch-and-go operations on land that are supposed to simulate landing on a carrier — now. But the recent Navy RFI said the jet needs to be able to perform 35,000 such exercises over the life of the plane, which may require tightening up of the plane's landing gear.

Then there's updating software to match the Navy's most recent version of its Precision Landing Mode system for carrier landings. However, until final requirements are written, it remains to be seen exactly what the industry team would need to do.

The US Air Force in 2017 selected the Boeing-Saab T-7A as its next-gen training aircraft over, among others, the M346. In theory, it would make sense for the two American services to have a common trainer, given they both operate variants of the F-35 and having one training fleet would bring overall costs down.

Webster dismissed the idea that Boeing's Air Force win puts his team behind the ball in the Navy competition, in part due to the issues Boeing has had with getting the T-7A underway. "If the Navy reads the newspaper, the media, I'm not unduly concerned," he said with a laugh, before arguing that if the Navy joined up with T-7A it would be years down the line before its jets can start delivering. (In a recent Breaking Defense report, a Boeing spokesperson acknowledged some "challenges" with T-7A deliveries, but said progress was being made.)

David Kindley, Leonardo US's director for trainers, airlifters and special mission campaigns, added that the Navy would see benefits by having a singular, dedicated industry partner.

"One of our respectful arguments back to the Navy is, you tried running second place to the Air Force before with F-35, how'd that work out for you? You're number one with us," Kindley said. "You are the biggest thing in our in our portfolio. You call our president, you get the president."

In November, a US Air Force official revealed that the service was considering a way to turn the T-7A into an attack variant. While the M346 has a history of being configured as a light-attack platform, the executives said the question of whether the trainer could also fill that mission has not come up in discussion with Navy officials.

https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/textron-leonardo-bank-on-m-346-global-experience-in-looming-race-for-navy-trainer/

[Harald]

Japan Wants T-7 Red Hawk As Its Next Trainer: Report

Reports indicate that Japan wants the T-7 as its next trainer to increase cooperation with the United States and reduce costs.



Recent reports from Tokyo suggest that Japan is looking to acquire the Boeing/Saab T-7A Red Hawk, or a derivative of it, as its next-generation jet trainer. Indications are that the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) wants the successor to its current Kawasaki T-4 to be the same platform as used by the U.S. Air Force, to enhance commonality and cut costs compared with building a new trainer on its own.

According to a recent report in the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, the Japanese and U.S. governments are already "coordinating to jointly develop a successor to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's T-4 trainer." As part of the program, the source states that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will soon visit the United States, where a related agreement will be signed. Prime Minister Kishida is scheduled to make a state visit to Washington on April 10.

https://www.twz.com/air/japan-wants-t-7-red-hawk-as-its-next-trainer-report

[Harald]

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.

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

[Harald]

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.



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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