Boeing has unveiled the first T7A Red Hawk Advanced Trainer Aircraft to be delivered to the United States Air Force (USAF). This aircraft is one of 351 that the USAF plans to order. The aircraft is the product of digital engineering technology and was built and tested using advanced manufacturing techniques.
The manufacturer says the aircraft also has an open software architecture that offers scalability and flexibility to meet future mission requirements, reports partner website Aviacionline.
“We are pleased and honored to deliver this nextgeneration, digitallyadvanced trainer to the United States Air Force,” said Ted Colbert, President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “This aircraft is a tangible example of how Boeing, its suppliers and partners are leading the digital engineering revolution. The T7A will prepare pilots for future missions for decades to come.”
The T7A Red Hawk sports a red tail livery in homage to the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. These airmen formed the first African American aviation unit to serve in the US Armed Forces.
“The Tuskegee Airmen are one of the most iconic units in Air Force history, and the T7A honors the bravery and skill of these pioneers,” said Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr.
The aircraft remains in St. Louis, where it will undergo ground and flight tests before being transferred to the United States Air Force. The T7A program is located in Boeing’s St. Louis, while the rear of Saab’s coach is being built in Linköping, Sweden. Saab will soon begin production of this section at its new manufacturing facility in West Lafayette, Indiana.