The first T-7A Red Hawk aircraft that will replace the T-38 Talon jet trainer for the US Air Force has landed at Boeing’s manufacturing facility in St Louis, Missouri.
The aircraft is part of a new, modern and advanced pilot training system that will be delivered to the US Air Force, known as the T-7A Red Hawk in honor of the Tuskegee pilots.
The production plane features the iconic “Red Tail” emblem of famous Tuskegee pilots of World War II. The name Red Hawk is derived from the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, one of the aircraft used by the 99th Fighter Squadron, the United States Air Force’s first African-American fighter squadron.
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Attending the ceremony were retired Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy, a Tuskegee pilot, along with Yvonne and Ron McGee, the children of the late Brig. General Charles McGee.
“With this launch, we honor our long history and the heroes who have written the chapters,” said Clark, “and we are ushering in an exciting new era of aviation and a new one. a new generation of heroes who will write the next chapters.”
This aircraft, along with associated simulators and ground equipment, will replace the aging T-38C Talon fleet of the Aviation Education and Training Command.
Lieutenant General Brad Webb, commander of the AETC, said quality has always been a priority for the Aviation Education and Training Command. “The T-7A and accompanying ground systems will help us meet the Air Force mission and prepare our crews to withstand future threats. Getting the T-7A into the hands of instructors, students, and maintainers is critical to our initiatives in transforming pilot training to ensure the most qualified pilots. prepare for future conflicts. ”
The Red Hawk, a joint effort between Boeing and Saab, was the first Air Force aircraft to use digital design tools that allowed it to transition from a computer screen to its first flight in 36 months.
“The T-7 was designed through model-based systems engineering and 3D tools,” said Colonel Kirt Cassell, T-7 program manager. “This allows for faster assembly and improves quality to provide a safe and efficient training system for the Airborne Education and Training Command.”
Going forward, the plane will perform a series of ground checks and taxi tests before making its first flights in the coming weeks. Later this year, it will fly to Edwards AFB, California to begin test flights.
“The T-38 is a real horse that trains Air Force fighter and bomber pilots for the Airline Education and Training Command, but the T-7 Red Hawk is a substitute. changing the game, offering advanced mission systems, glass touchscreen cockpits, stadium seating and embedded training capabilities,” said Cassell.
