Boeing’s proposal for the Air Force’s newest trainer made its first test flight on Tuesday.
Boeing and Saab are one of at least four industry teams hoping to get the contract to build the two-seat T-X trainer jet to replace the service’s aging fleet of T-38 aircraft.
The 55-minute flight in St. Louis “validated key aspects of the single-engine jet and demonstrated the performance of the low-risk design,” according to a Boeing release.
“I’ve been a part of this team since the beginning, and it was really exciting to be the first to train and fly,” said Steven Schmidt, the T-X test pilot who participated in the flight. “The aircraft met all expectations. It’s well designed and offers superior handling characteristics. The cockpit is intuitive, spacious and adjustable, so everything is within easy reach.”
The second T-X from Boeing and Saab is undergoing ground testing and is expected to make its first flights early next year.
The future of #USAF training takes flight. #NewBoeingTX first flight. pic.twitter.com/iCmINjbyUh
— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) December 20, 2016
Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems conducted their first flight in August. Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries flew its candidate, a modified version of the T-50, for the first time in June. And Raytheon, which partnered with Honeywell Aerospace, CAE USA Inc. and Leonardo, flew its T-100, which is a modified M-346 from Leonardo, for the first time this summer.
Aviation Week also recently reported that Sierra Nevada Corp. and Turkish Aerospace Industries are teaming up to submit a trainer for the competition.
The Air Force will reportedly release its final request for proposals in the next two weeks and a selection is expected some time in 2017. The winner will replace the service’s T-38 Talon.
