The advanced trainer T-7A Red Hawk will arrive at the end of 2025 in the US Air Force

Difficulties with the emergency ejection system and the pilot’s ejection seats led to the US Air Force to delay the start of production trainer advanced boeing T-7A Red Falcon Until February 2025.

This decision will, at best, mean a delay of two years as planned, because if all goes well and the green light is given at the beginning of 2025, the first T-7A to United States Air Force also United States Air Force (USAF)They won’t arrive until the end of that year.

he T-7A Red FalconIt was jointly developed by the US Boeing and Sweden’s Saab, and is designed to provide a an exercise Advanced and realistic flight of American pilotsa step ahead of dealing with fifth-generation fighter aircraft, such as the F-22 hijacker and F-35 Lightning II, although it is also suitable for preparing pilots in previous generation aircraft, such as the F-16 Block 70. It has advanced avionics, a fully digital cockpit and a training system that allows complex missions to be practiced in a simulated environment.

He was It was selected by the USAF in 2018 as a new trainer aircraft to replace the existing aircraft T-38 heelwhich has been in service since the 1960s (very similar to and contemporary with the F-5), although it has been upgraded several times, including its wings.

Tests with prototypes

The US Air Force signed a contract for T-7A In the amount of 9,200 million dollars, it was allocated for the purchase of 351 equipment and 46 simulators, as well as pre-training services, spare parts and aids.

The first flight took place on December 20, 2016, and since then it has undergone various tests, in which various problems were detected, such as the usual problems when Programming and others in the pilot ejection system (two-seat) in case of emergency, as well as with the flight control system. Although some of these failures have been resolved over the years, those related to the ejection system, which could pose a significant risk of concussion for crew members, have not been fully rectified.

This dangerous circumstance stopped the intention USAF To finance its mass production, pending the complete resolution of the problem, so that, upon a favorable outcome, the production order will not be issued until February 2025.

The two first prototypes of the T-7A, designated as TX. (Boeing photo)

with her United States Air Force Program schedule delay T-7A Red Falcon about two yearsTherefore, in the best case, manufacturing can begin on that date at a reduced rate and deliver the first copies at the end of the same year. In this way, they eliminated a total of $322 million from the budget request for the upcoming 2024 year, which should have been used to fund the purchase of those first devices.

within, Boeing communicate with T-7A test Red Falcon at its facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Five more models will be added to the three models created. T-7, Currently under construction, through which the ability to experiment and improve the design will be enhanced until it meets all requirements USAFincluding in particular those related to security.

Boeing said its prototypes are expected to begin flight tests this summer near its St. Louis plant. It is planned that the first three will be transferred to a test base US Air Force They are located in Edwards (California), where they will undergo flight tests starting in September.

In addition, the delay will affect its sales to other potential foreign users, such as the case of Spain, whose Army Air and Aerospace Forces have been searching for years for a replacement for the veteran Northrop/CASA F-5M, which has been in service with the Air Force’s School of Hunting and Attack since the 1970s. . This delay may affect his selection as a candidate. The Spanish Minister of State for Defense Affairs recently indicated that the replacement of the F-5M will come in 2028. At this time, after the option of the jet trainer Airbus Future Jet trainer (AFJT), will be the main options, plus T-7, he Italian Leonardo M346leaving the South Korean T-50 with fewer capabilities. (Julio Maz)