Boeing and Saab partner yesterday made the first flight of the new TX aircraft.
During the 55-minute flight, chief test pilot Steven Schmidt and Air Force program leader Dan Draeger (in the back seat), would validate the key requirements of the single-engine jet and demonstrate the performance of the "low-risk design". .
"I've been part of the workgroup since the beginning and it was really exciting to be the first to test and fly to TX," said Schmidt. "The aircraft has met all expectations, it is well designed and offers superior handling features, and the cockpit is intuitive, wide and adjustable, and everything is within reach."
Boeing and Saab unveiled the first two TX aircraft in September (v.articolo). The second is currently being grounded and is expected to be flying in the early months of the 2017.
Boeing and Saab's TX aims to replace the T-38 Air Force aircraft competing for the same program. The initial operating capacity is expected for the 2024.
Recall that there is also the T-50 to compete for the new trainer of the US Air Force, one of the main manufacturers in the competition. Golden Eagle by Lockheed Martin (in partnership with Korea Aerospace Industries) and the T-100 (advanced version of the 346 Master of Leonardo, pictured below) presented in the USA by a team of companies made up of Raytheon, Leonardo, Honeywell Aerospace and CAE USA Inc.
It should be emphasized as the TX program, which it should have been verified initial operational capability in the 2017 (!), has been sliced - officially "for budget issues" - for several years ...
(photo: Boeing / Raytheon)
