T-7A Red Hawk

New jet trainer in the cards as Japan seeks training fleet refresh

Japan’s search for a new trainer aircraft has meant that companies were keen to display their trainer aircraft solutions at DSEI Japan.

UK examines ‘alternative options’ for Hawk T2 trainer

The UK has 28 Hawk T2 aircraft, operated by both the RAF and the Royal Navy, based off a £450 million ($581 million) contract placed with BAE Systems in 2006, but technical troubles largely related to engine and support issues have consistently troubled the program.

Saab CEO floats Euro defense ‘coalition,’ plans to fly unmanned combat demonstrator

"We should sort of understand that we need to do more in Europe, nation by nation, of course, but also as part of the alliance, being a strong pillar in NATO" said Saab CEO Micael Johansson.

Air Force’s outgoing acquisition chief on NGAS, CCA and his biggest regrets

Speaking to Breaking Defense, Andrew Hunter said that the CCA loyal wingman program is proof the Air Force can move forward in new directions.

EXCLUSIVE: Air Force reworking approach for T-7A Red Hawk, delaying production by 1 year

The trainer’s production decision, or Milestone C date, will be pushed back to 2026, and Boeing will be given an opportunity to make more money if it adds new improvements to the jet, a top Air Force official tells Breaking Defense.

Saab braces for ‘couple of years’ of ‘stop-and-go’ production instability on T-7A trainer fuselage

“I'm confident in the [T-7A] capability such that we have the facilities. It's not technical problems. It's more … stop-and-go in production that we need to get the flow going right," Saab CEO Micael Johansson told investors.

Boeing urges France not to ‘discount’ P-8 as it plots ATL2 replacement

Though Paris seems committed to going with a European solution, a Boeing exec told Breaking Defense the company has "informally" had discussions with stakeholders in France.

Boeing to shutter Super Hornet line in 2027 after final Navy order: Boeing VP

The desire for technical data rights “is one of those areas where industry and government have been at odds for a long time. And certainly Boeing on F-18 and the Navy as well," Boeing fighters VP Mark Sears told Breaking Defense. "So being able to put that on a path to final resolution ... is a really positive step."

Pentagon scales back F-35, F-15EX fighter buys in FY25 budget request

Across the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, the Pentagon will purchase 21 fewer fighter jets than originally expected for the 2025 fiscal year, dropping a planned buy of 107 to 86.

Despite huge industry losses, Air Force ‘not getting rid of fixed-price contracts’: Hunter

But a different acquisition strategy can help lower risks when fixed-price approaches are involved, the acquisition czar said.

Boeing’s T-7A trainer faces new delivery delay amid parts ‘challenges’

Another small schedule slip has postponed test jet deliveries to the Air Force, according to a Boeing spokesperson.

For beleaguered T-7A trainer, Boeing sees global customers, others in DoD as ‘part of the strategy’

The company has incurred some $1.3 billion in charges on the delayed program, but a senior official at the Dubai Airshow sees much clearer skies ahead.

Air Force’s first T-7 touches down at Edwards AFB ahead of new test phase

“Like most test programs, we’ll have discovery and we’ll overcome it quickly,” said Air Force T-7A program lead Col. Kirt Cassell.

Air Force weighing turning T-7 into F-7 armed light attack jet: Official

Despite not talking to Boeing about development of a F-7 armed light attack aircraft based off the T-7A Red Hawk, a USAF official has revealed the service is interested in such a concept, and could look to replace older F-16s with it.