Boeing Announced That The T-7A Trainer Jet Has Obtained Military Aviation Release from the USAF
Boeing is pleased to announce the new milestone of its T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet. The aircraft has received Military Flight Release (MFR) certification from the US Air Force (USAF).
The certification means the USAF has authorized the plane's first flight with a military pilot.
According to the company, the decision was made after an airworthiness panel assessed the potential risks of the T-7A's flight.
The board confirmed that all T-7A airworthiness processes had been complied with. The aircraft is cleared to perform flight and test operations.
The T-7A was first launched in 2022. The aircraft was completely digitally designed and built using advanced manufacturing and modern engineering technologies.
The Pesaat will replace the USAF's aging T-38 Talon. The T-7A is prepared to train prospective fourth and fifth generation fighter pilots.
Despite the certification, production of the T-7A still faced two years of delays due to design problems, particularly with the aircraft's emergency escape system.
The new timetable states that the Red Hawk will enter production in 2025 and reach initial operational capability in 2027 - two years beyond expectations.
Previously on April 18, Airspace Review reported that the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk Advanced Trainer Jet was still experiencing a number of problems so that the initial low-level production (LRP) could only be carried out in February 2025.
This means that the jet developed by Boeing with Saab from Sweden has only been able to be produced 6.5 years since Boeing won the initial contract to supply the T-7A for the US Air Force (USAF) in 2018.
The USAF explained that the delay in the T-7A production schedule was caused by several matters related to aircraft safety that had not been completed. One of them is related to the problem of the ejection seat.
The USAF added that the first aircraft of the new series production could be delivered to the USAF as early as December 2025.
This production delay will also result in a delay in the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) schedule which was originally scheduled for 2024. Most likely, the IOC will only be reached in 2026.
Another impact, the USAF must invest to extend the life of the T-38 Talon trainer jets which have been used for 60 years.
The T-38 Talon is an aircraft that will soon be retired and replaced by the T-7A Red Hawk.
As a result of these problems, the use of the T-38 had to be extended. The USAF also had to fund the T-38's structural modifications in the Pacer Classic III program along with upgrades to the aircraft's avionics.
The USAF is committing $125.3 million for the 2024 Fiscal Year in this regard.
As is known, the USAF has selected the T-7A Red Hawk as an advanced trainer jet to replace the T-38. A total of 351 T-7A units will be acquired including 46 simulator units.
In its newest program, the USAF even said it would increase orders for the T-7A Red Hawk to 475 units.
