Boeing–Saab T-7 Red Hawk

Boeing–Saab T-7 Red Hawk program

Company type	Joint venture
Industry	Aerospace
Founded	2016
Founder	Boeing, Saab
Headquarters	St. Louis, Missouri; West Lafayette, Indiana , United States
Products	T-7 Red Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft
Parent	Boeing, Saab

Overview

The Boeing–Saab T-7 Red Hawk, formerly designated as the Boeing T-X and later the Boeing–Saab T-X, represents a collaborative effort between the United States and Sweden to develop a cutting-edge transonic advanced jet trainer. This aircraft is manufactured jointly by Boeing and Saab. In September 2018, the United States Air Force (USAF) selected this model under the T-X program to succeed the Northrop T-38 Talon as its primary advanced jet training platform.

Development

The Air Education and Training Command (AETC) of the United States Air Force initiated the formulation of requirements for a successor to the supersonic Northrop T-38 Talon as early as 2003. Initially, the new trainer aircraft was anticipated to be operational by approximately 2020. Following a fatal structural fatigue incident in 2008 that resulted in the loss of a two-person crew aboard a T-38C, the USAF accelerated the projected initial operational capability (IOC) to 2017. However, the fiscal year 2013 budget proposal indicated a postponement of IOC to FY2020, with contract awards not expected before FY2016. Budgetary constraints and competing modernization priorities further delayed the IOC for the T-X program victor to fiscal years 2023 or 2024. Although omitted from the FY 2014 budget, the Air Force maintained its commitment to prioritizing this trainer program.

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Prototypes of the Boeing-Saab T-7 circa 2018

Boeing partnered with Swedish aerospace company Saab to submit a joint bid for the T-7 competition. On 13 September 2016, they revealed prototypes of the Boeing T-X—an advanced jet trainer featuring a single engine, twin vertical stabilizers, tandem cockpit configuration, retractable tricycle landing gear, and powered by a General Electric F404 afterburning turbofan engine. The inaugural flight of the first T-X prototype occurred on 20 December 2016. The Boeing–Saab consortium entered their proposal following the Air Force’s solicitation for bids on the T-7 program in December 2016.

In September 2018, USAF officials announced selection of Boeing's design as the new advanced jet trainer. The program was valued at up to US$9.2 billion (~$Template:Format price in Template:Inflation/year), encompassing procurement of 351 aircraft, 46 simulators, along with maintenance training and support services. Contract options allow for a total purchase of up to 475 aircraft. During Q3 of 2018, Boeing recorded a pre-tax charge of $691 million (~$Template:Format price in Template:Inflation/year), partially attributed to expenses related to the T-X program.

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The U.S. Air Force's T-7A Red Hawk displaying Red Tail markings

In May 2019, Saab announced plans to establish a U.S.-based manufacturing facility dedicated to T-X production within Indiana’s Discovery Park District near Purdue University in West Lafayette. By September 2019, the USAF officially designated the aircraft as "T-7A Red Hawk," honoring both the Tuskegee Airmen, renowned for their distinctive red-painted aircraft tails, and commemorating the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, which was flown by the historic 99th Fighter Squadron, the first African American fighter unit in U.S. Army Air Forces history.

The program advanced into its Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase in February 2021. Subsequently, Saab delivered initial aft sections of the T-7A airframe to Boeing’s St. Louis facility in April and July 2021. Boeing integrated these aft sections with forward fuselage components, fins, wings, and tail assemblies to assemble complete test articles supporting EMD flight testing activities. As of 2021, Saab’s West Lafayette facility was slated to function as the primary manufacturing site for aft fuselage sections and associated subsystems including hydraulics, fuel systems, and secondary power units.

Saab has introduced innovative software tools aimed at facilitating faster and more cost-effective development processes for the T-7 program. Utilizing digital engineering methodologies enabled progression from initial design through first flight within just 36 months. The production line incorporates advanced digitization allowing assembly technicians to join aft sections with wings in approximately 30 minutes. This digital workflow minimizes reliance on traditional tooling and drilling during assembly operations. The first complete T-7A aircraft was unveiled on 28 April 2022.

In May 2023, a report issued by the Government Accountability Office highlighted challenges within the T-7 program related to software issues, safety system concerns, and schedule delays that have deferred USAF’s next production decision until February 2025. The report characterized Boeing’s January 2023 schedule submission as optimistic and contingent on favorable conditions; notwithstanding these delays, Boeing continued plans to commence initial production runs in early 2024.

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The inaugural flight of a T-7A Red Hawk over Edwards Air Force Base in November 2023

On 29 June 2023, Major Bryce Turner from the 416th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB piloted the maiden flight of the T-7A from St. Louis Lambert International Airport alongside Boeing’s chief test pilot Steve Schmidt. The first Red Hawk (tail number APT-2) was delivered to USAF on 21 September 2023 for testing at Edwards AFB. Additionally, two more test aircraft (APT-1 and APT-3) were delivered late in 2023; however, delivery of a fourth test article (APT-4) has been postponed into early 2024. In total, five engineering and manufacturing development-configured Red Hawks will support ongoing flight test activities. As of February 2024, commencement of assembly for initial production models was projected for Q2 of that year.

Design

The T-7's architecture is engineered to accommodate future mission expansions, including roles such as aggressor and light attack/fighter capabilities. Within training scenarios, the aircraft is tailored for executing high-G and high-angle-of-attack maneuvers as well as nighttime operations, prioritizing straightforward maintenance. Powered by a single GE F404 turbofan engine, it delivers thrust approximately three times greater than that of the twin-engine T-38.

Potential operators

Boeing targets sales exceeding 2,700 Red Hawk units worldwide. Apart from the USAF, potential customers include Serbia, which is considering replacements for its G-4 and J-22 trainer fleets, and Australia, which aims to substitute its 33 BAE Hawk Mk 127 Lead-in Fighter (LIF) jet trainers through the Royal Australian Air Force LIFT initiative.

The T-7B model is among the candidates for the United States Navy's Tactical Surrogate Aircraft program, with a prospective procurement of 64 units. Additionally, a navalized variant is competing in the USN's Undergraduate Jet Training System program, where a minimum order of 145 aircraft is anticipated to replace the current T-45 Goshawk fleet. Acquisition of the selected platform could commence as soon as 2026.

A version known as the F/T-7X is contending for the USAF's Advanced Tactical Trainer program, potentially resulting in orders ranging from 100 to 400 aircraft.

By late 2023, the USAF was exploring the concept of adapting the T-7 into an armed combat aircraft, tentatively named the F-7. This version would offer capabilities comparable to a fourth-generation fighter, helping sustain force levels as F-16s are phased out. Boeing plans to propose this armed variant as a replacement for aging Northrop F-5 and Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet fleets globally.

Boeing has also presented the T-7 to the Brazilian Air Force. Furthermore, it competes to succeed the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's Kawasaki T-4, vying against contenders such as the Aermacchi M-346 Block 20 and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' T-X. A potential licensed variant for Japan has been designated the T-7AJ.

In the UK's Fast Jet Trainer program aimed at replacing the aging and increasingly unreliable BAE Systems Hawk, Boeing collaborates with Saab and BAE Systems to offer the T-7 as a candidate. This program requires involvement from UK-based companies, positioning the T-7 Red Hawk as a leading contender for future British fighter pilot training needs.

Variants

BTX-1

Two initial prototypes were developed for assessment:

• N381TX, the initial prototype and the first T-7 to achieve flight
• N382TX, the second prototype utilized during testing phases

T-7A Red Hawk

The production model selected by the USAF as the victor of the T-X competition intended to succeed the Northrop T-38 Talon. Before delivery, it was designated eT-7A, signifying its status as a digitally designed aircraft.

T-7A Block 10

This variant, offered to the USAF, includes enhancements in avionics and safety systems.

T-7B

Proposed for the U.S. Navy's Tactical Surrogate Aircraft (TSA) initiative, this version may involve a procurement of 64 units.

T-7 UJTS

A contender for the U.S. Navy's Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program aimed at replacing the Boeing T-45 Goshawk, potentially involving up to 145 aircraft. This model would lack carrier landing capability.

T-7AJ

Proposed designation for a domestically manufactured T-7 variant intended for the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force to succeed the Kawasaki T-4, with an anticipated purchase of approximately 200 units.

T-7 FJT

Suggested designation for the Royal Air Force Fast Jet Trainer competition, aiming to replace the BAE Systems Hawk with an expected acquisition of around 60 aircraft.

F/T-7X

Variant proposed under the USAF's Advanced Tactical Trainer initiative, with potential orders ranging from 100 to 400 units.

F-7

A light combat aircraft variant proposed for use by the USAF.

Operators

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• United States Air Force
  • 412th Test Wing
    • 416th Flight Test Squadron

External links

• Official Boeing T-7A information
• Saab’s T-7A details