AF trainer RFPs by December

The Air Force is expecting to issue a Request For Proposals its T-X advanced jet trainer in December. It is to replace some 350 Northrop Grumman-built T-38 Talons. The new trainer’s operational milestone is for FY 2024. Lockheed Martin’s proposed entry for T-X trainer competition completed its first flight test June 2. The single-engine jet flew from Sacheon, South Korea, the site of LM’s development partner Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). There will likely be rival proposals from the partnership of Boeing-Saab, Raytheon-Finmeccanica, and Northrop Grumman. (Source: AIN Online 06/02/16) Columbus (Miss.) Air Force Base is home to the 14th Flying Training Wing. The wing’s mission is specialized undergraduate pilot training in the T-38C Talon, T-6 Texan II, and T-1A Jayhawk. Columbus-based pilots fly an average 260 sorties per day. Tyndall AFB, Fla., is home to the 2nd Fighter Training Squadron. It is one of only two T-38 Talon adversary squadrons, and tasked to provide air-to-air threat replication in support of F-22 Raptor combat and formal training squadrons.