Saint Louis, USA, 13 September 2016 – Boeing and its partner Saab AB revealed today their advanced aircraft proposal to show the U.S. Air Force the performance, affordability, and maintainability advantages of their approach. The Boeing T-X aircraft has one reheated engine, twin tails, large spaced seating and an advanced cockpit with embedded training. The system also offers state-of-the-art ground-based training and a maintenance-friendly design for long-term supportability.
Looking very much like a reworked Textron Airland Scorpion with a refined supersonic wing profile and a more bulbous canopy, the Boeing T-X is reported as being an all-new aircraft designed specifically for the U.S. Air Force training mission, which takes advantage of the latest technologies, tools and manufacturing techniques. It is an advanced aircraft designed to evolve as technologies, missions and training needs change. The design is said to be more affordable and flexible than older, existing aircraft. The T-X hopes to be selected to replace the Air Force’s aging T-38 fleet now long in teeth. Initial operating capability is planned for 2024.
“Our T-X is real, ready and the right choice for training pilots for generations to come,” said Boeing Defense, Space & Security President and CEO Leanne Caret. “It’s an honor to build the future of Air Force training,” said Saab President and CEO Håkan Buskhe. “We have created the best solution thanks to great cooperation and a clear strategy since day one.”
The Boeing and Saab entry is however pitted against a few other capable competitors. Lockheed Martin earlier this year announced it would offer the T-50A for the USAF’s T-X programme to replace its ageing T-38 trainers (the T-50A is a common programme managed with KAI in South Korea). Raytheon teaming with Leonardo on their side are promoting the T-100 (aka M-346 Master), and Northrop Grumman is now working with Scaled Composites, which it acquired in 2007, on an internally funded T-X, a very futuristic demonstrator aircraft due to fly before the end of the year.
