Saab ships second Red Hawk airframe section to Boeing
Red Hawks in flight. (Photo: Saab)
On completion of the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase of the T-7A trainer aircraft programme for the USAF, Saab will undertake production of aft airframe sections as its new US facility.
Saab shipped its second aft airframe section to Boeing on 24 July in connection with flight tests in the US T-7A Red Hawk programme.
The aft section with installed subsystems — hydraulics, fuel and the secondary power system — forms the centre structure of the T-7A aircraft from behind the cockpit to the end of the aircraft.
‘The production and shipment of this aft airframe section is the latest milestone in Saab’s contribution to the design and development of the T-7A Red Hawk trainer for the United States Air Force [USAF],’ the company announced on 26 July.
On completion of the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) production phase of the T-7A programme, Saab will undertake production of aft airframe sections as its new US facility in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Boeing will splice together Saab’s aft section with the front section, wings, fins and tail assembly to become a complete test aircraft for use in the EMD flight test programme.
In April 2021, Saab delivered its first T-7A Red Hawk aft airframe section for assembly as a ground-based structural testing aircraft.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Training
-
![British Army Strategic Training Partner bidders drop from seven to four]()
British Army Strategic Training Partner bidders drop from seven to four
Three of the bidding consortia have dropped out of the competition to become STP for the British Army Collective Training Service.
-
![What is preventing the US Pentagon from succeeding in multi-domain scenarios?]()
What is preventing the US Pentagon from succeeding in multi-domain scenarios?
Outstanding issues to be addressed include improving doctrine, increasing the number of joint exercises and better integrating capabilities across the services.
-
![AI innovation set to revolutionise military training landscape]()
AI innovation set to revolutionise military training landscape
Artificial intelligence offers unprecedented potential to revolutionise military training, enabling agile and decisive forces.
-
![Training Together: Unlocking Educational Excellence through Military and Industry Collaboration (Studio)]()
Training Together: Unlocking Educational Excellence through Military and Industry Collaboration (Studio)
Military training is ultimately about people. At Capita, training programmes are built on close engagement with partners, delivering an educational approach that can adapt to individual needs, cultivate leadership – and drive wider cultural change.
-
![Three A-29 Super Tucanos find new home at US Air Force Test Pilot School]()
Three A-29 Super Tucanos find new home at US Air Force Test Pilot School
Embraer’s light attack aircraft were selected by Edwards Air Force Base to join its test pilot school, following their abandonment by US Air Force Special Operations Command.
-
![Enhancing Military Training Through Digital Technology (Studio)]()
Enhancing Military Training Through Digital Technology (Studio)
Digital technologies offer huge opportunities for defence training. However, militaries must adopt an agile approach, placing the needs of their organisations and personnel at the centre of their efforts.
