Brenda Marie Rivers
The T-7A Red Hawk trainer aircraft developed through a partnership between Boeing and Saab has concluded 80 percent of phase 1 assessments and is undergoing hot-weather testing in St. Louis, Mo., AIN Online reported Monday.
The current tests come ahead of engine re-start trials and high angle-of-attack testing with T-2 trainer aircraft.
Thom Breckenridge, vice president of global sales and marketing, strike, surveillance and mobility at Boeing's defense segment, told reporters at a press briefing last week that the company is on track to achieve initial operational capability for T-7A in 2024 ahead of full operational capability in 2034.
He said he expects the company to make first deliveries of the next-generation trainers in 2023.
Boeing and Saab’s T-7A is intended to replace the U.S. Air Force’s fleet of Northrop Grumman-built T-38 Talon supersonic trainers. Saab is producing aft fuselages for the T-7A aircraft under the partnership.
Boeing is also under contract to provide a ground-based training system for T-7A to the Air Force ahead of the first aircraft’s delivery.
The team expects to receive orders for 48 T-7A units annually, according to the report.
