This Boeing T-7A Red Hawk jet flight test with the U.S. Air Force marks the commencement of the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the program.
Boeing and the U.S. Air Force have achieved a significant milestone with the successful inaugural flight of the first T-7A Red Hawk aircraft. This flight marks the commencement of the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the program, showcasing the aircraft’s advanced capabilities. One of the notable features of the T-7A is its focus on safety. Model-based engineering enabled rigorous testing throughout the aircraft’s design and construction process, ensuring safety before its first flight. The T-7A’s cockpit egress system is regarded as the safest among trainers, providing added reassurance to pilots.
During the 1-hour and 3-minute flight, U.S. Air Force Maj. Bryce Turner and Steve Schmidt, Boeing T-7 chief test pilot, validated crucial aspects of the aircraft while demonstrating the power and agility of the Air Force’s first digitally designed, built, and tested advanced trainer. The aircraft is one of five EMD aircraft that will be delivered to the Air Force Air Education and Training Command for further testing. The T-7A’s eye-catching red tails pay homage to the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American U.S. military aviators who flew red-tailed fighters during World War II.
Maj. Bryce Turner, 416th Test Squadron, U.S. Air Force said, “The stable performance of the aircraft and its advanced cockpit and systems are game changers for U.S. Air Force student pilots and instructors alike. We’ve come a long way in training since my family role models flew.”
Turner, whose family has a legacy of U.S. Air Force fighter pilots, recognized the significant advancements made in pilot training since his family members flew.
The T-7A brings several key enhancements to warfighter training, including improved pilot readiness, enhanced safety features, and flexibility for a wide range of missions. The advanced pilot training system incorporates high-resolution ground-based training systems and simulators, delivering comprehensive and realistic integrated live, virtual, and constructive training capabilities.
The aircraft’s open architecture software and digital fly-by-wire controls enable training for various fighter and bomber pilots, offering flexibility that aligns with evolving technologies, threats, and training needs.
“This first flight with the Air Force represents our team’s commitment to delivering a new level of safety and training for fighter and bomber pilots,” said Evelyn Moore, vice president and program manager for T-7 Programs, Boeing. “We remain focused on engineering ways to better prepare warfighters for changing mission demands and emerging threats,” he further added.
Impressively, the T-7A progressed from a firm concept to flight testing within just 36 months. Leveraging model-based engineering, 3D design, and advanced manufacturing techniques, Boeing achieved a 75% increase in first-time quality and an 80% reduction in assembly hours.
In 2018, the Air Force awarded Boeing a $9.2 billion contract for 351 T-7A advanced trainers, along with 46 simulators and support equipment. The T-7A is set to replace the Air Force’s aging fleet of T-38 aircraft.
Col. Kirt Cassell, program manager for T-7A Red Hawk, U.S. Air Force said, “This is an exciting time for the entire team. The Red Hawk’s digital design integrating advanced training capabilities will drastically improve pilot training for the next generation of fighter and bomber pilots.”
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The successful inaugural flight of the T-7A Red Hawk signifies a significant step forward in advancing pilot training capabilities for the U.S. Air Force. Boeing’s commitment to innovation and collaboration with the Air Force demonstrates their dedication to equipping the next generation of fighter and bomber pilots with state-of-the-art technology and superior training resources.
