Raytheon offers American-made T-100 for T-X

Raytheon has officially jumped into the US Air Force's T-X race, offering the Italian Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi M-346-based T-100 with twin Honeywell F124 turbofan engines and training support from CAE.
At an announcement in Washington DC on 22 February, the world's third-largest military contractor confirmed that air force pilots have already trialled the “Master” in Italy to verify that the current design meets stringent, high-g performance criteria associated with T-X.
Once allied with General Dynamics, the T-100 will now compete against the Lockheed Martin/Korea Aerospace Industries T-50A and clean-sheet alternatives proposed by Boeing/Saab and Northrop Grumman/BAS Systems for US Air Education and Training Command’s procurement of 350 high-performance training jets to replace the 48-year-old Northrop T-38 Talon.
flightglobal

Northrop Will Fly T-X Prototype This Year

Northrop Grumman intends to fly a prototype of the company’s T-X concept early this year, in anticipation of an upcoming Air Force competition to replace the aging T-38 fleet used for advanced jet training.
Northrop is working with aerospace company Scaled Composites, which it acquired in 2007, on an internally funded T-X demonstrator aircraft, Tom Vice, president of the company’s aerospace sector, told reporters Jan. 14 during a media trip. Vice did not specify exactly when the prototype would fly, but said the event would take place in the first half of this year.
defensenews

Boeing wins 10-year T-38C contract as USAF looks to T-X

Boeing has defeated an unnamed challenger to secure a 10-year contract worth up to $855 million for Northrop T-38C Talon avionics and logistics support, maintaining its involvement with the widely-used aircraft through 2026 as the US Air Force fields a replacement “T-X” combat trainer.
Boeing completed a major T-38A/B avionics suite upgrade in 2007, converting 463 Talons to the T-38C standard by replacing analog components with a new digital cockpit. Northrop Grumman, meanwhile, has delivered replacement wings sets over the past decade, while general upkeep of the 55-year-old supersonic trainer is managed organically from the air force’s Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill AFB in Utah.
Meanwhile, structural upgrades to more than 150 T-38s through the “Pacer Classic III” structural modification are being performed by maintainers, extending the venerable trainer’s life to 2029.
flightglobal

Lockheed to reveal 'ultimate offering' for T-X next year

Earlier this year, the company disclosed that its Skunk Works advanced design and development division had also been working on a clean-sheet alternative as a back-up if the air force’s performance specifications for the next-generation replacement for the 55-year-old Northrop T-38 evolve.
Although Lockheed’s long-term relationship with Korea through the country’s indigenous T-50 programme has been expected to form the basis for its T-X offering, Skunk Works declines to confirm that the clean-sheet offer is off the table for the $8 billion new-build trainer contest.
The unveiling at KAI’s Sacheon facility came as somewhat of a surprise, with no advanced notices sent to aerospace reporters by either company, and no Lockheed press release. The event was attended by a mostly South Korean audience, including the country's president Park Guen-Hye.
flightglobal

T-X Buy Could Grow by 200 Jets

If the US Air Force decides to move in the direction of a unified undergraduate jet trainer, the winner of the T-X trainer replacement competition could see its production run jump by an estimated 200 jets.
However, that decision is still far off and would likely be part of a separate buy after the T-X contract is awarded sometime in late 2017.
Pilot training currently consists of classroom work and basic flight training on a T-6 single-engine turboprop before splitting off into several different tracts. Those on the fighter or bomber track receive training on the T-38 Talon, while airlift and tanker pilots receive training on the T-1 Jayhawk.
The service is focused on replacing the T-38 because of the age of the fleet and the fact that the Talon cannot provide the training capabilities needed by pilots for fifth-generation aircraft like the F-22 and F-35. While the focus was on T-X, there is a growing awareness that a replacement for the Jayhawk is eventually needed.
The 2015 National Defense Authorization Act included a requirement for the Air Force to investigate options to modernize or replace the T-1.
It is easy to see the possibility of saved money by combining the advanced training from two aircraft to one, particularly if the Jayhawk will need to be replaced with a new design.
defensenews

T-X, future USAF T-38 jet replacement, requirements released

USAF officials released requirements for the T-X trainer aircraft family of systems that will replace the T-38 Talon, March 20.
The initial draft requirements were released in 2012, allowing industry to make more informed, early design decisions.
The T-38 is no longer a practical trainer to prepare Air Force pilots for newer, more advanced aircraft. Currently, 12 of 18 advanced pilot training tasks can’t be completed with the T-38, relying on fighter and bomber formal training units to complete the training at a much greater cost.
The T-X requirements identify three key performance characteristics for the advanced pilot training mission: sustained G, simulator visual acuity and performance, and aircraft sustainment.
A highlight in the requirements is embedded training with synthetic sensors and data link. Significant progress has been made the past decade in synthetic training that very closely approximates the real system.
The Air Force plans to award a contract for 350 T-Xs to replace the 431 AETC T-38s in the fall of 2017, with initial operational capability by the end of 2023.
One requirement not part of the release is for the T-X to serve in a “red air” or adversary role, during live-fly exercises.

USAF T-X Requirements Coming in 'Weeks'

The requirements for the US Air Force's next-generation trainer will be released within "weeks," the service's top training official said on Thursday.
Official did not go into details on what is actually in those requirements, but emphasized that T-X is only to develop a replacement for the T-38.
In the president's budget request, there is a small amount of funding under T-X for using it as an aggressor training system.
There is no decision that's been made yet to use the T-X in any other capacity.
As an example, Rand pointed to the question of whether T-X will have a radar, something that would be required if T-X is eventually turned into an agressor Red Air jet.
"I don't expect the T-X will come with a radar unless they can do it really smart and don't drive the cost up".
The T-X program is intended to replace the Air Force's fleet of T-38 training aircraft with a more highly advanced jet capable of training pilots for use in fifth generation fighters like the F-22 and F-35. The service plans on issuing a request for proposals on the program in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, with a projected contract award in the fall of 2017.
The service signaled its intention to move ahead with T-X in its fiscal 2016 budget request.
There are two clean-sheet teams going head-to-head for the program in Northrop Grumman and a Boeing-Saab cooperative, while two legacy systems are being offered in the form of Lockheed Martin's offering of Korean Aerospace Industries' T-50, and the T-100, a collaboration between General Dynamics and Italy's Alenia Aermacchi based on the latter's M-346 design. Textron AirLand is also planning to enter a trainer variant of its new Scorpion jet in the competition.
defensenews

USAF T-X: Northrop-Bae Systems turns to a new prototype, abandoning a modified Hawk

A Northrop Grumman-led team is dashing its plan to propose a modified BAE Systems Hawk trainer for the U.S. Air Force’s T-38 replacement program, opting instead for a clean-sheet design for the.
The shift is more bold than it is surprising. The team is paying for a brand-new prototype despite a slump in defense spending. But it has become increasingly evident that the Hawk is unsuited for the mission due to shortfalls in the fast-jet trainer’s ability to sustain Gs, perform high angle-of-attack maneuvering and execute tight turn rate and radius.
BAE’s Hawk would struggle to meet sustained G, high angle of attack and tight turn radius requirements sought in the U.S. Air Force’s T-38 replacement program.
The Air Force intends to buy as many as 350 of the trainers as part of a larger T-X system, including advanced training aids such as a sophisticated ground-based training platform and aids.

Textron Developing Scorpion Trainer Variant

Textron plans to enter a modified version of its Scorpion aircraft into the US Air Force’s T-X trainer replacement competition.
The company is also eyeing the international training market as an area of growth for its jet, which is still working on signing its first customer.
Textron executives have largely danced around the question of whether the Scorpion would enter the T-X competition, hinting it was under consideration but not giving confirmation.
Scorpion is designed to be an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance plane (ISR) with strike capabilities. Since the plane’s unveiling in September, Textron have highlighted the modular nature of the jet, that would come into play with a trainer variant.

Because of the modularity of that platform we Textron is able to change certain air performance characteristics relatively easily and be able to compete for the higher air performance requirements of the T-X program using the same basic platform with small modifications.
The major change would involve shortening the wings from 47 feet to something smaller and more aerodynamic, as well as increasing the thrust in the engine.
The Air Force plans to issue a request for proposals in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 for the T-X program. Before that request comes out, Textron intends to have a model of its trainer variant up and flying to prove that it can meet Air Force requirements.
The winner of the T-X competition will replace the service’s T-38 trainers with 350 new aircraft.
Three existing trainers are being offered for the T-X in the Hawk Advanced Jet Training System, a joint program of BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, L-3 Link Simulation & Training and Rolls-Royce; Lockheed Martin’s offering of the Korean Aerospace Industries T-50; and the T-100, a collaboration between General Dynamics and Italy’s Alenia Aermacchi.
Boeing and Saab have announced plans to create a “clean-sheet” design as well. Although details are scant, the companies claim it will not be based on Saab’s Gripen fighter.
defensenews

Northrop Takes The Lead From BAE On $11B USAF T-X Trainer

While Northrop Grumman isn’t doing much at the upcoming Farnborough Air Show — at least publicly — they certainly shook things up today with their announcement that they are swapping places with BAE Systems to take the lead role in the competition for the $11 billion, 350-plane T-X trainer program.
While the BAE-Northrop team is still offering BAE’s Hawk jet, being the lead or prime contractor on a program is where the real money lies, so this move highlights Northrop’s political and manufacturing power:
“The decision to realign was reached mutually by all team members to better leverage Northrop Grumman’s domestic development and production capabilities, which were realized through the company’s establishment and investment in its Centers of Excellence last year. The Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, L-3 and Rolls-Royce team is committed to providing the Hawk as the most capable and affordable training solution for the Air Force.”
breakingdefense

T-X Requirements Under Review

The newly appointed head of US Air Force Air Education and Training Command (AETC) acknowledged last week that funds for a replacement trainer won’t be coming in the near future, but said the T-X program remains a priority for his staff.
Timetable confirms there won’t be much movement on the T-X program in the next two years, despite heavy interest from industry. In 2014 and 2015 there are no plans for T-X.
Three competitors have offered off-the-shelf designs: the Hawk Advanced Jet Training System, a joint program of BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, L-3 Link Simulation & Training and Rolls-Royce; Lockheed Martin’s offering of the Korean Aerospace Industries T-50; and the T-100, a collaboration between General Dynamics and Italy’s Alenia Aermacchi.
This month, Boeing and Saab announced they would be teaming on a clean-sheet design for the program.
The Air Force is eyeing an initial operating capability date of 2023 or 2024 for the winner of the T-X competition, which will replace the service’s T-38 trainers with 350 new models.
There could be life for the T-38 after T-X, perhaps as an opposition plane during training missions.
defensenews

Boeing and Saab Sign Joint Development Agreement on T-X Family of Systems Training Competition

Boeing and Saab AB have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to jointly develop and build a new advanced, cost-efficient T-X Family of Systems training solution for the upcoming competition to replace the U.S. Air Force's aging T-38 aircrew training system. The JDA, with Boeing as the prime contractor and Saab AB as primary partner, covers areas including design, development, production, support, sales and marketing.
Boeing and Saab look forward to the upcoming acquisition process, which will lead to the customer awarding the contract. The U.S. Air Force T-X program will include aircraft and training that will prepare warfighters for the next 40 years. The Air Force plans to replace the T-38 with a new Advanced Pilot Training Family of Systems and about 350 aircraft.
The trainer solution from Boeing and Saab with other potential team members will be a completely new designed aircraft.
boeing

Boeing, Saab in Talks to Partner on 'T-X' Trainer Bid

Boeing and Saab are discussing a partnership on the US Air Force’s T-38 trainer replacement program. USAF intends to purchase 350 new trainers, likely pushing the contract award into the billions of dollars.
Talks between the companies at the highest level are advanced and likely to lead to an agreement.
Boeing has teamed with Saab on commercial products in the past, but a teaming arrangement to bid for the T-X program would mark the first major partnership between the two on a new military platform, where they have been fierce competitors.
Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen and Boeing’s F/A-18 Hornet have gone head-to-head in a series of international fighter competitions, including Thailand, the Czech Republic, India and Switzerland., Both are contenders to replace Denmark’s fleet of F-16 fighters.

BAE and Northrop to announce T-X production location before year’s end

BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman are set to announce where they intend to build the Hawk jet trainer for the US Air Force's T-X advanced jet trainer replacement programme before the end of the year, says a top company official speaking at the Paris air show.
But there are questions as to whether the USAF has the money to pay for a replacement for the venerable Northrop T-38 Talon. Earlier in the year, Gen Edward Rice, head of the Air Education and Training Command, said that even before the cuts mandated by the Congressional sequestration law went into effect, the service did not have the money allocated to pay for a new trainer.
Later in the year, USAF chief of staff Gen Mark Welsh and outgoing air force secretary Michael Donley said that while the service needed a T-38 replacement, it does not have the money to pay for such a programme.
flightglobal

USAF postpones T-X trainer industry day

The US Air Force has postponed a planned industry day for its T-X advanced trainer replacement programme.
"T-X industry day has been postponed until further notice," reads a USAF notice posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website.
The postponement is reflective of the USAF's lack of funds for the programme.
flightglobal

USAF may not be able to afford T-X jet trainer project

Due to its many competing budgetary priorities, the US Air Force may not have the funds to procure its prospective T-X jet trainer, which the service hopes will one day replace its vintage Northrop T-38 Talons. But the difficulties may be further compounded by a Congressional sequestration maoneuvre that will automatically cut US defense outlays by 10% every year for 10 years beginning on 1 March unless a deal is reached to stop it.

flightglobal

Hawk trainer compliant with USAF T-X requirements, says BAE

BAE Systems has responded to the US Air Force's draft key performance parameters (KPPs) for its nascent T-X jet trainer programme to replace the venerable Northrop T-38 Talon.

flightglobal

USAF releases draft T-X KPPs

The US Air Force has released a set of draft key performance parameters (KPP) for its prospective T-X jet trainer requirement which would replace the long-serving Northrop T-38 Talon.

learn more

Boeing Leans Toward New-Build Design For U.S. Air Force T-X

After a long flirtation with the concept of a partnership to offer a foreign fast-jet trainer to the U.S. Air Force as a T-38C replacement, Boeing will forgo an off-the-shelf bid in favor of a new-build design or opt not to bid at all.

learn more