Aviation
Military /
USA
for training
US Air Force will have between 100 and 400 new jets; model not yet decided
Boeing T-7A Red Hawk
Image: Public Domain
Rafael Ramos
10/15/2021
The US Air Force (USAF) seeks to train its pilots with anywhere from 100 to 400 new aircraft, in a role similar to that of the AT-38 Talon.
In the Oct. 12 request for information on the matter, the US Air Force did not mention the T-7A or Boeing, its manufacturer. However, the request for information is similar to the one issued by the US Navy.
The US Air Force said it is conducting market research to see which company might meet the requirements. The government wants answers by Nov. 23, although the date for which it wants to receive the planes has not been specified.
The T-7 Advanced Jet Trainer could be the basis of a training aircraft so the jet should confirm its training capability before starting other functions, as there are still problems such as lack of external hardpoints for weapons and only an optional aerial refueling system.
The USAF wants 351 units of T-7A advanced trainers. However, if Boeing also received the additional work, that number could exceed 700 units. Boeing, which is Saab's partner for the T-7A, intends to make the plane a light fighter or attack aircraft in the future.
Other companies could be partners in the Advanced Tactical Trainer training program, such as Lockheed Martin and Korean Aerospace Industries, which sent the T-X competition runner-up, the T-50A. This aircraft, which is an F-50 with combat capability, was exported to countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Iraq and Thailand.
Either way, the aircraft sought for the service will be used for initial tactical training, adversarial air support and as a tactical fighter, which will replace current and future frontline fighters. The plane must be able to reach Mach 0.9 and replicate current and future fighter aircraft systems, as well as provide all the skills needed for a training fighter, such as the ability to withstand an instantaneous G-force of 7.5 and support sustained 6G maneuvers.
Lockheed/TAI T-50
Indonesian Air Force
Photo by KAI (2013), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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