In a historic achievement for the Saab and USAF Boeing T-7A advanced jet trainer program, the first flight of a T-7A built during the EMD phase took place on June 28 2023 in St. Louis, USA.
In a historic achievement for the Saab and United States Air Force (USAF) T-7A advanced jet trainer program, the first flight of a T-7A built during the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase took place on June 28 2023 in St. Louis, USA. The 63-minute flight, piloted by USAF test pilot Maj. Bryce Turner from the 416th Flight Test Squadron and Boeing T-7 chief test pilot Steve Schmidt, marked a significant milestone for the collaborative effort between Saab and Boeing.
Saab’s contribution to the T-7A program includes the development and production of the fully installed aft section for the aircraft. The seven afts produced at Saab’s facility in Linköping, Sweden, are part of the EMD test aircraft. Saab has also established a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Lafayette, Indiana, which will be responsible for producing the series aircraft for pilot training by the U.S. Air Force.
Erik Smith, President and CEO, Saab in the U.S. said, “The first flight of the T-7A by a serving Air Force pilot is a historic achievement for the program and is a tribute to the years of hard work and dedication from Saab and Boeing.”
The T-7A program is currently in the EMD phase, which encompasses engineering, verification and validation activities, test aircraft build, flight test support, and preparation for series production. Saab delivered its first EMD section to Boeing in April 2021, and all subsequent EMD deliveries were completed within just over a year. In April 2022, Boeing and Saab unveiled the first T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer test aircraft built for the EMD phase. Prior to the recent flight, an initial trial flight of the EMD aircraft was conducted by a Boeing test pilot.
Saab, a leading defense and security company, is renowned for its mission to help nations enhance safety and security. With a workforce of 19,000 talented individuals, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. The company specializes in the design, manufacture, and maintenance of advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors, and underwater systems. While headquartered in Sweden, Saab has a significant global presence and plays a vital role in the defense capabilities of various nations.
Saab, Inc., a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, supports the U.S. Armed Forces, the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as international and commercial partners. With its headquarters in Syracuse, New York, Saab, Inc. operates through multiple business units and employs local personnel in nine locations across the United States.
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The successful first flight of the T-7A during the EMD phase signifies a major advancement in the development of this advanced jet trainer aircraft. It showcases the collaborative efforts of Saab, Boeing, and the USAF, and sets the stage for further progress and advancements in pilot training and aviation technology.
