LONDON – Things are looking bright for the American-Swedish joint project as the T-7A Red Hawk Jet comes together – the Last Engineering and Manufacturing (EMD) received the rear section from Saab. This section from Saab is now finally welded with the forward fuselage.
On 16th June 2022, the final section rear or aft section of the American-Swedish-built trainer jet, Red Hawk arrived at Boeing. This part has been shipped from Saab headquarters in Linköping, Sweden for the United States Air Force (USAF).
This is a great sign for the project, as it is coming to a completion.
With both the rear and the front sections joined, this is an important milestone for both companies. It took less than half an hour for the two sections to be joined. This is way faster than many traditional jets, thanks to today’s technology and the amount of digital foundation being put into the T-7A.
The Swedish company will in the future produce the aft section of the trainer jet in West Lafayette, Indiana, run by Saab. This new site in Indiana will shave transportation time within the supply chain, and also enhance cooperation between the two companies.
Paul Niewald, vice president of the Boeing T-7 programs stated: “We’re excited to begin building the first trainer jets future Air Force pilots will fly. Boeing and Saab quality and production teams will be closer, accelerating responsiveness to meet engineering and hardware needs.”
Jonas Hjelm, head of Saab’s Business Aeronautics also expressed his gratitude: “Developed with an engineering approach based on digital models, the T-7A represents a revolutionary approach to developing aircraft.”
The American Air Force has awarded the largest aircraft manufacturer in the U.S Boeing, to build 351 T-7A advanced trainer jets listed at $9.2 billion. The package also includes 46 simulators and other support services for its future cadets.
Moreover, the Red Hawk trainer jets were built using advanced technologies such as digital modelling, AI and other advanced design methods. In fact, from concept to first flight took only 36 months, which is considered very fast, especially when building aircraft.
The American – Swedish trainer jet adopts an open architecture software, digital fly-by-wire control and advanced cockpit training technology to ensure the safety and well-being of trainee future fighter pilots.
The T-7A Red Hawk Programme was previously known as Boeing T-X and later on Boeing-Saab T-X. This programme was tapped by the USAF on 28th September 2018, to replace the ageing trainer the Northrop T-38 Talon used by the Air Force.
Saab is a Swedish company which serves the global market, primarily the military domain. This includes air defence products and systems like the Saab Global Eye platform and the Saab Gripen fighter jet.
