Boeing's T-7A pitch to Navy?

Boeing's first prototype of the Air Force’s new combat trainer - the T-7A Red Hawk - rolled off the production line this year, hitting a major milestone in replacing the T-38 Talons, but the T-X program still faces challenges. The company is fighting to stay on schedule and cost, according to a Boeing executive Paul Newald. The aircraft’s progress could open opportunities for Boeing to pitch it to US military training programs and internationally, analysts said. Boeing is investing in the latest technology to make the T-7A platform competitive, including revolutionizing its own production technology. The T-7A program is still targeting a 2024 initial operating capability. Its flexible design opens the potential for the T-7 training systems to be offered to other US services, Jaworowski said. The Navy published a Sources Notice for a Tactical Surrogate Aircraft last year, which mentioned the potential for 64 aircraft. The Navy will be replacing its T-45 Goshawk trainers. (National Defense 10/24/22) New Jet Trainer Taxiing for Low Rate Production (nationaldefensemagazine.org)