
T-7A Red Hawk
Future generations of U.S. Air Force pilots will train using this all-new advanced pilot training system.
Pilots' View: Check out this 360 degree video of the T-7A in flight. For the full 360 degree experience, please use Firefox or Chrome. To watch on Facebook or YouTube using a mobile device, please use the Facebook or YouTube app.
The T-7A Red Hawk is an all-new advanced pilot training system designed for the U.S. Air Force that will train the next generation of fighter and bomber pilots for decades to come.
Designed using a digital thread, the T-7A aligns with the U.S. Air Force’s Digital Century Series strategy by enabling the integration of new concepts and capabilities faster and more affordably through virtual testing.
The Red Hawk builds off the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, paying tribute to the legends of the past and the heroes of the future.
Boeing’s T-7A Red Hawk was purpose-built to include provisions for growth, improve supportability and innovate a maintenance-friendly design. The aircraft was built with digital engineering processes, agile software development and an open architecture mission system to enable more rapid, affordable future aircraft development. These modern, computer-driven manufacturing techniques serve as an enabler for the U.S. Air Force’s Digital Century Series strategy while additionally increasing the supply base choices.
Compared to traditional aircraft development programs, T-7A experienced:
The T-7A went from concept to first flight in three years as a result of a “breaking the norm” paradigm that includes a modular design of the aircraft developed specifically for maintainers, highly immersive training and offloading of skills and advanced fighter-like performance features that are commensurate with today’s 4th and 5th-gen fighter aircraft.
Ground-Based Training Systems (GBTS), encompassing a full range of physical devices and instructional techniques, will prepare students for and supplement training conducted in the T-7A. The aircraft is a flexible, modifiable solution that adapts easily to people, software and systems so future technologies can be easily implemented, pilots can adjust to their personal preferences and the entire system can be applied to other missions. By adapting to changing technologies and learning methods, and by downloading more expensive training, the T-7A produces better prepared pilots in less time.
The T-7A’s design includes provisions for growth as requirements evolve for additional missions such as an aggressor, light attack / fighter variant.
The T-7A’s purpose-built digital approach and immersive development techniques validated supportability issues and innovated a maintenance-friendly design throughout, increasing availability and lowering sustainment costs. Additionally, common sub-systems with 4th and 5th-gen fighters allows the use of existing maintenance infrastructure, further lowering life cycle costs.
The Red Hawk’s fighter-like design and performance, combined with embedded and live virtual constructive training, allows the download of training tasks from the existing fleet to a lesser cost platform while simultaneously delivering realistic training solutions that better prepare pilots for the training mission.
With key maintenance features that greatly improve mean time to repair – including high wing, easy access doors, and quick release panels – the T-7A is an affordable, reliable solution.
Rapid ejection seat changes.
Quicker, easier access at the right height.
Upright access to door and inspection points.
Maintenance control panel on same side, everything within reach.
Four people can have it changed before lunch.
Simplified supply chain for rudders, stabilators and actuators.
Sept. 14, 2020 | U.S. Air Force introduces e-Series engineered line and credits the T-7A Red Hawk as a leader of this digital revolution |
July 21, 2020 | Boeing and the U.S. Air Force conduct third T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer flight test summit |
July 14, 2020 | Boeing T-7A completes inverted flight test |
Apr. 22, 2020 | T-7A advanced trainer records 11 flights in one week |
Apr. 3, 2020 | T-7A Red Hawk ground-based training system achieves Critical Design Review |
Mar. 12, 2020 | T-7A aircraft conduct six flights within nine hours |
Feb. 27, 2020 | Boeing T-7A Crew Shuts Off, Restarts Engine in Flight to Demonstrate Reliability |
Oct. 24, 2019 | Boeing T-7A Awarded Aviation Week’s “Game Changer Award” |
Sept. 16, 2019 | U.S. Air Force announces the official service name of the aircraft as the T-7A Red Hawk |
Aug. 6, 2019 | Boeing T-X conducts its 100th flight |
July 1, 2019 | Boeing T-X makes its first, official Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) flight test |
Sept. 27, 2018 | Boeing Wins U.S. Air Force T-X Pilot Training Program Contract |
Sept. 18, 2017 | Saab Offers U.S. Based Production Capability for T-X Trainer Aircraft |
June 26, 2017 | Boeing submits flight test data for T-X proposal – two days ahead of schedule |
May 15, 2017 | Boeing selects St. Louis for T-X final assembly and checkout |
April 27, 2017 | Both Boeing T-X aircraft take to the skies, together in flight |
April 24, 2017 | Second Boeing T-X makes first flight |
April 20, 2017 | Second Boeing T-X aircraft taxis |
March 28, 2017 | Boeing submits U.S. Air Force Advanced Pilot Training System proposal—two days ahead of schedule |
March 24, 2017 | Boeing T-X completes four flights in one day—demonstrating maturity of design |
March 2, 2017 | Tweet: Second Boeing T-X aircraft completes production |
Jan. 23, 2017 | Boeing T-X achieves multiple days of three flights a day |
Dec. 21, 2016 | Boeing T-X completes second flight |
Dec. 20, 2016 | Boeing T-X completes first flight, validates design for Air Force requirements |
Dec. 15, 2016 | Boeing T-X taxis |
Sept. 13, 2016 | Boeing reveals two production-ready aircraft, the cornerstone of the complete Boeing T-X advanced pilot training system |
Dec. 6, 2013 | Boeing and Saab sign a joint development agreement to compete for T-X with an all-new, purpose-built design |
Terms and Conditions of Image Use
1024 x 760
1280 x 960
1600 x 1200
1024 x 768
1280 x 960
1600 x 1200
1024 x 768
1280 x 960
1600 x 1200
1024 x 768
1280 x 960
1600 x 1200