Boeing unveiled the first and second prototype of its trainer aircraft for U.S. Air Force T-X advanced pilot trainer competition co-develop...
Boeing unveiled the first and second prototype of its trainer aircraft for U.S. Air Force T-X advanced pilot trainer competition co-developed with the Saab.
The aircraft was rolled out from Boeing's facility in St.Louis, Missouri were the F/A-18 and F-15 fighters are assembled.
The clean sheet design will be offered to replace the 55 year old Northrop Grumman T-38 fleet operated by USAF for pilot training.
The aircraft features anhedral wings and tail fin with side mounted engine air intakes. What makes the Boeing's T-X design unique from the other three competitors is the twin canted tail plane and Leading edge root extensions (LERX) inspired from the Boeing's F/A-18 Hornet fighter.
Boeing says the twin-tail design offers improved stability along with advantages like excellent control, inherent speed break functionality, and safer air refueling.
The aircraft has stadium seating for improved visibility and an advanced cockpit with embedded training. The seating allows for ideal instructor positioning and visibility for flight instruction, from teaching basic traffic pattern operations to advanced visual air combat training.
The JPATS 1-7 compliant seating also allows a wider range of individuals to train and instruct.
Other competitors in the program include the Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
Northrop and Boeing are offering clean sheet designs while the other two are pitting pre-existing designs. Northrop's design was revealed during high speed taxi trials in Mojave in August, who have partnered with BAE Systems and L-3 for the bid.
Lockheed Martin is offering a modified version of the T-50 fighter co-developed with South Korean KAI, while Raytheon partnering Honeywell and CAE is offering the Italian Leonardo M-346 trainer as the T-100.
Except the T-100, all the other three T-X trainers are powered by a single GE F404 after-burning turbofan engine with around 80 kN thrust.
Around 500 Talons are to replaced with the new T-X trainers, which will train USAF's fifth generation fighter pilots.
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| Second T-X trainer in assembly |
T-X is a top priority for the U.S. Air Force and initial acquisition is expected to include 350 aircraft and the associated ground-based training and support. Initial operating capability (IOC) is planned for 2024.
Boeing also revealed that the second prototype of the T-X trainer is also ready for testing.
