USAF's first Red Hawk jet trainer
On 28 April 2022, the first engineering and manufacturing development Boeing T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer, made its debut at Boeing's plant near St. Louis (MO).
USAF's new Air Education and Training Command (AETC) T-7A trainer carries twin red tails as a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, who flew red tailed P-51 Mustangs into combat and into history as the first African American aviation unit in the US military. While the first Red Hawk carries the cosmetic RA code with "99FTS" titles, the aircraft will be delivered to the 416th Flying Training Squadron at Edwards AFB (CA).
The 99th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 12th Flying Training Wing based at Randolph Air Force Base (TX), and normally operates the T-1A Jayhawk.
The new built T-7A Red Hawk is expected to be the first of 351 aircraft to be delivered to the USAF, under terms of a USD9.2 billion contract awarded to Boeing in September 2018.
The Red Hawk is produced by Boeing in partnership with Saab, and will replace the Northrop T-38 trainer, which has been in USAF service for half a century. It was stated by USAF officials, that the first Red Hawk will undergo a series of ground checks and taxi tests before it makes its first flight in the next few weeks. It will then fly to Edwards later this year for further flight tests.
The T-7A Red Hawks break down the barriers of flight. These digitally-engineered aircraft will make it possible for a diverse cross-section of future fighter and bomber pilots to be trained and provide an advanced training system and capabilities that will meet the demands of today and tomorrow. It is expected that the first USAF T-7A squadron will be operational in 2024.
Photos: Boeing & Eric Shindelbower