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Education and Training Command’s fleet of aging T-38C Talon jet wire controls and advanced cockpit technology
trainers, which are over 60 years old. Boeing is now expected to that provides a new level of safety and training
deliver the first production T-7A in December 2025, just over seven for future fighter pilots. With its embedded and
years after it was awarded a US$9.2 billion contract awarded in live virtual constructive training, the T-7A allows
September 2018 to deliver 351 aircraft. The USAF will also acquire the download of training tasks from the existing
46 high-fidelity simulators and could eventually exercise options fleet to a lesser cost platform while simultane-
for up to 475 T-7s. ously delivering realistic training solutions that
better prepare pilots for the training mission.
The first T-7A Red Hawk prototype rolled off from a Boeing Defense, The T-7As highly realistic ground based train-
Space & Security production line in April 2022. The T-7A went from ing capabilities include air refueling training,
concept to first flight in three years but will now also be delayed superior graphics and a motion seat and a lot
from achieving IOC with the USAF by at least three years. The first of of tasks that trainee pilots are currently unable
two production-ready T-X aircraft took to the air in December 2016. to do in a T-38 simulator, such as training in for-
mation or flying an intercept can be done in the
The T-38 Talon first entered service in 1961 and was upgraded to the simulator.
T-38C configuration in 2001. A 11-year avionics upgrade programme
was completed in August 2007, when the last two aircraft were deliv- The T-7A also features numerous common
ered to the USAF. However, the T-38C continued to receive other sub-systems with U.S. 4th and 5th-gen fighters,
upgrades till 2015. These upgrades were to have extended the life allowing use of existing maintenance infrastruc-
cycle of the T-38C through to 2020.
ture, which further reduce life cycle costs. The
Future Ready T-7As side opening canopy affords easy access
The T-7A is a joint effort between Boeing and Saab and is the first to the ejection seat, it has drop down doors and
in the USAF’s new digital eSeries of aircraft, weapons, satellites and panels which are easily accessible, it has single
assets, which are being designed and built along a digital thread point refuelling with the maintenance control
that embraces advanced manufacturing techniques to improve panel on the same side, the aircraft engine can
quality and enhance performance. The T-7A was designed through be changed quickly by a team of just 4 people.
model-based systems engineering and 3D tools, which enabled Boeing has also established a simplified supply
quicker assembly and improved quality on the production line. The chain for rudders, stabilisers and actuators.
T-7A was built with digital engineering processes, agile software
development and an open architecture mission system to enable The challenges with the T-7A are an indication
more rapid, affordable future aircraft development. As per Boeing, of the difficulties in developing military aircraft,
as compared to a traditional aircraft development programmes the even for an airframers as accomplished as
T-7A’s digital design resulted in a 75 per cent increase improvement Boeing and Saab. The delays in the T-7A pro-
in first-time engineering quality, an 80 per cent reduction in assem- gramme not only impact the USAF, but could
bly hours and 50 per cent reduction in software development and also hinder the trainer types near-term export
verification time. prospects with countries like Australia and
Japan, who are eyeing advanced jet trainers
The T-7A incorporates open architecture software, digital fly-by- for their respective air forces.

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