The Selection Is In: USAF Awards Next-Gen Trainer To Boeing

Report by Steven Valinski

Images: © The Boeing Company

September 27, 2018

The USAF has awarded a $9.2 billion contract to The Boeing Company for its next generation fighter/bomber training aircraft.

“This new aircraft will provide the advanced training capabilities we need to increase the lethality and effectiveness of future Air Force pilots,” Secretary of the Air Force Heather A. Wilson said in a USAF statement. “Through competition we will save at least $10 billion on the T-X program.”

Boeing beat out competition such as the Lockheed Martin/Korea Aerospace T-50A and the Leonardo M-346 (T-100) with its newly designed T-X trainer which was developed in a partnership with Saab.

The T-X is designed to look and perform like a fighter aircraft. The twin-seat, twin-tailed, advanced trainer is powered by a single General Electric F404 engine. The aircraft was designed as part of an advanced training system with a state-of-the-art cockpit and avionics, realistic-function flight simulators and computer-based training modules.

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of years of unwavering focus by the Boeing and Saab team,” said Leanne Caret, president and CEO, Boeing Defense, Space & Security in a statement from Boeing.

“It is a direct result of our joint investment in developing a system centered on the unique requirements of the U.S. Air Force. We expect T-X to be a franchise program for much of this century.”

The Boeing T-X will be replacing the aging T-38 Talon which has been in service for over 50 years.

“This is all about joint warfighting excellence; we need the T-X to optimize training for pilots heading into our growing fleet of fifth-generation aircraft,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein in a USAF interview. “This aircraft will enable pilot training in a system similar to our fielded fighters, ultimately enhancing joint lethality.”

Even with the partnership with Saab, Boeing has stated, “more than 90% of the Boeing T-X made in America, it will support more than 17,000 U.S. jobs in 34 states.”

The USAF plans to purchase 351 T-X aircraft which could evolve into an eventual total purchase of 475 aircraft. The USAF has set a target for initial operational capability by 2024 and full operational capability by 2034.

Steven Valinski

Owner-Chief Publisher at Aviation Photography Digest

Steven is from Long Island, New York and now resides in sunny Mesa, Arizona. Steven’s love for aviation began when he was a child with a fascination for WWII aircraft. This love of aviation was further fostered by his uncle, a long-time Trans World Airlines (TWA) employee who had a passion for all forms of aviation.

Steven’s interest in photography began when he was 16 years old when he received his first SLR camera, a Minolta XGA. It makes sense that eventually his passion for aviation and photography would merge into a love for aviation photography.

In addition to being the web designer, webmaster and chief editor of Aviation Photography Digest, Steven has been published in numerous magazines worldwide.

Steven has an M.S. from Boston University and uses Nikon photographic equipment.

Steven is a Nikon NPS member.

Steven can be reached at: [email protected]