Boeing

Picture of two T-7A Red Hawks in flight.

T-7A Red Hawk

Future generations of U.S. Air Force pilots will train using this all-new advanced pilot training system.

THE NEXT GENERATION OF PILOT TRAINING

Cockpit view of T-7A pilot in flight.

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.

A DIGITAL DESIGN

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:

  • A 75% increase improvement in first-time engineering quality
  • An 80% reduction in assembly hours
  • A 50% reduction in software development and verification time

ADVANCED CAPABILITIES

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.

AFFORDABLE SUSTAINMENT

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.

Videos

Feature Stories

Red Hawk

T-7A Red Hawk, straight and level

July 29, 2021 in Defense, Innovation

A digital mindset enables quality improvements in challenging times

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"Blaze" Jensen, first qualified female pilot in the T-7A Red Hawk, honors her heroes story image

"Blaze" Jensen, first qualified female pilot in the T-7A Red Hawk, honors her heroes

March 19, 2021 in Defense

Follows flight plan of World War II women aviators.

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T-7A Red Hawk begins U.S. Production

T-7A Red Hawk begins U.S. Production

February 23, 2021 in Defense

A new era in aircraft design and assembly has begun as the first U.S. portion of the Boeing-Saab eT-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer officially entered the jet’s state-of-the-art production line.

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 U.S. Air Force debuts 'eSeries' future of development at Air Force Association conference

U.S. Air Force debuts 'eSeries' future of development at Air Force Association conference

September 14, 2020 in Defense, Technology

The Air Force’s new digitally engineered eSeries represents the future of how air and space dominance is designed, coded and built. Leading this digital revolution is the T-7A Red Hawk.

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Upside down…all-around Image

Upside down…all-around

July 14, 2020 in Defense

Proving out the Boeing T-7A Advanced Trainer in its first inverted flights, Boeing Test & Evaluation pilots Matt Giese and William Berryman are the first to take the agile trainer, developed for the U.S. Air Force, through a rugged series of maneuvers to test the jet’s fuel system at all angles.

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T-7A Put to the test

Put to the test

February 27, 2020 in Defense

Boeing T-7A Crew Shuts Off, Restarts, Engine In-Flight to Demonstrate Reliability

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T-7A, DEFIANT tapped technology titans

T-7A, DEFIANT tapped technology titans

December 3, 2019 in Defense

Boeing’s T-7A Red Hawk and SB>1 DEFIANT named as some of “the most pivotal, influential and just plain awesome innovations” of the year.

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New T-7A Red Hawk honors legends of the past and heroes of the future

New T-7A Red Hawk honors legends of the past and heroes of the future

September 16, 2019 in Defense

U.S. Air Force reveals service name of its advanced pilot training system.

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It’s Official: Boeing Wins T-X!

It’s Official: Boeing Wins T-X!

September 27, 2018 in Defense

The U.S. Air Force has selected the Boeing T-X advanced pilot training system which features an all-new aircraft designed, developed and flight-tested by Boeing and Saab.

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Boeing T-X is Ready for Training

Boeing T-X is Ready for Training

August 6, 2018 in Defense

Boeing submits Final Proposal Revision to U.S. Air Force ahead of T-X award. Meet the people who helped make it possible.

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T-X soars over St. Louis

T-X soars over St. Louis

July 13, 2018 in Defense

Watch Boeing T-X make its air show debut at Fair St. Louis from our cockpit camera.

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Real as it Gets Training

Real as it Gets Training

November 29, 2017 in Defense, Technology

Boeing T-X ground-based training systems offer enhanced flight simulation training to help pilots seamlessly transition to the aircraft.

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Designed with Maintainers in Mind

Designed with Maintainers in Mind

November 16, 2017 in Defense

The T-X Advanced Pilot Training System’s smart design features easier access to panels, engine and seats.

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Second T-X Takes Flight

Second T-X Takes Flight

April 25, 2017 in Defense

Boeing and partner SAAB completed the first flight of the second production-ready T-X aircraft, which is identical to the first and designed specifically for the U.S. Air Force advanced pilot training requirement.

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Boeing T-X Takes Off

Boeing T-X Takes Off

December 21, 2016 in Defense

The first of two production-ready aircraft built for the U.S. Air Force's advanced pilot training competition, took to the skies over St. Louis-Lambert International Airport for a successful first flight.

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Boeing T-X Sees the Light

Boeing T-X Sees the Light

September 13, 2016 in Defense

Boeing reveals their all-new advanced pilot training system designed specifically for the U.S. Air Force training mission. It includes trainer aircraft, ground-based training and support.

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Customer

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T-X Timeline

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

T-7A NEWS

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