Air Force Selects New Combat Trainer

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, October 02, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Boeing has been awarded a $9.2 billion contract by the U.S. Air Force for its T-X advanced pilot training system.
The contract covers 351 new T-X combat training jets, associated ground equipment, and 46 simulators.
Boeing developed the T-X system in partnership with Saab, with initial funding of $813 million allocated for the development of the first five aircraft and seven simulators.
Both companies anticipate the T-X program to be a significant "franchise program" for much of the current century.

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Boeing has announced that it has been awarded a $9.2 billion contract to supply the company’s T-X advanced pilot training system to the U.S. Air Force. The funds will cover 351 new T-X combat training jets, associated ground equipment and 46 simulators, Boeing says. The company developed and tested the T-X in partnership with Saab.

“[This] announcement is the culmination of years of unwavering focus by the Boeing and Saab team,” said Boeing Defense, Space & Security CEO Leanne Caret. “It is a direct result of our joint investment in developing a system centered on the unique requirements of the U.S. Air Force. We expect T-X to be a franchise program for much of this century.”

According to Saab, an initial $813 million will go toward “the engineering and manufacturing development of the first five aircraft and seven simulators.” It has not yet been announced when the Air Force will begin taking deliveries. Boeing and Saab first flew the single-engine T-X in December 2016.