Boeing-Saab: New T-X trainer info

Boeing Co.’s CEO Dennis Muilenburg provided some new details on its strategy to produce the Air Force with initially 351 T-X trainer aircraft based on a February 2018 contract award. “We see T-X as a market for about 2,600 aircraft in addition to ground-based trainers and other support and services,” Muilenburg said in a third-quarter earnings call Oct. 24. Boeing’s top T-X partner and supplier Saab added more details Oct. 23 about the potential market. The U.S. market for the new trainers, and MH-139 light attack aircraft, amounts to 1,000 aircraft, Saab CEO Hakan Buskhe claimed. Boeing’s MH-139 helicopter was selected to replace the AF's UH-1N "Huey" multi-role helicopter. Current “Huey” bases include Eglin AFB and Duke Field, Fla.; Fairchild AFB, Wash.; Warren AFB, Wyo.; Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility in Maryland; Kirtland AFB, N.M.; Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; and Minot AFB, N.D. If Boeing and Saab’s are right, the T-X represents the largest potential volume for a new military aircraft since the Penetagon awarded Lockheed Martin a 2001 contract to build F-35s. Boeing bid $9.2B to deliver up to 475 T-X aircraft and 120 simulators if the AF exercised all options, although the initial requirement is for 351. It was a three-contract sweep for Boeing that included the MH-139 and MQ-25 contracts. (Source: Aviation Week 10/24/18) Gulf Coast Note: The AF announced in February 2018 that the Advanced Pilot Trainer (T-X) will replace T-38C Talon aircraft at existing undergraduate pilot training bases, including Columbus (Miss.) AFB. Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, was named the preferred first location for the first T-X aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2022. Other bases are Laughlin and Sheppard AFBs in Texas, and Vance AFB, Okla.