In September 2018, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $9.2 billion contract to supply T-7A Red Hawk aircraft and training simulators to replace the aging T-38C Talon trainer. 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.
On Thursday, the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Specialized and Proven Aircraft Program Office, released a Request For Information (RFI) document seeking information regarding industry’s ability to provide a replacement for their T-38C Talon aircraft.
The first T-38 was produced in 1961 and the last rolled off the Northrop assembly line in 1972.
The Navy is looking for full spectrum logistical support (i.e. maintenance, training, publications, etc.) for a new aircraft on site at government provided facilities to be used as a key tool for future test pilot and flight test engineer training at the United States Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS).
The T-38C replacement at USNTPS is unofficially being called the Test Advanced Jet (TAJ), the Navy said in the RFI. “The purpose of this RFI is to determine the feasibility and estimated cost for the TAJ and full spectrum logistical support for a contractor-owned, government operated service-based contract. The TAJ is considered a graduate-level trainer and should be able to fulfill the requirements set forth in the USNTPS fixed-wing syllabus, to include on-deck and airborne handling/flying qualities, performance, and mission systems testing.”
In general, a minimum of five, fully mission capable aircraft will be required daily to support a total of approximately 1,000 hours per fiscal year, the Navy said in the document.
Companies interested in responding to the RFI are invited to submit a capability statement to the Navy by July 22.
No comments:
Post a Comment