Boeing and Saab unveiled a few hours ago,Air, Space and Cyber Conference, in Washington, its TX for Air Force. In just under three years, the two companies managed to develop and build not one, but two aircraft in final configuration.
The company headquartered in Chicago, in collaboration with Saab, is competing with Northrop Grumman for the presentation of two new aircraft. The Air Force wants a replacement for its T-38 training fleet produced by Northrop who made his first flight in 1959. The average life of operating cells is 40 years.
The system Heel is used to prepare pilots for conversion on attack platforms and bombardments. The line Heel serves as a training for F-15E riders Strike Eagle, F-15C, F-16, B-1B Lancer, A-10 Thunderbolt and F-22 Raptor. The Air Force, in the final specifications, will sign an initial agreement for 350 new training aircraft. Overall production could exceed one thousand units.
The program also includes Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries with KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, Raytheon Co and Leonardo-Finmeccanica with the T-100 based on the M-346 Master (platforms already in service).
Northrop Grumman, the 19 last August, unveiled some photos of his new prototype on Twitter.
These are not prototypes - Boeing said during the presentation - are the first two definitive aircraft of the TX program, capable of meeting the Air Force requirements.
Despite the partnership (for some essential), in the promotional video the Swedish company is never mentioned. The TX of the Boeing / Saab is a completely new aircraft, designed specifically for the training of the pilots of the USAF and that implements some measures of the fifth generation fighters. Although it is not stealth, its profile clearly recalls the F-35 and the F-22. The intent of Boeing was to create a cell that would recreate as much as possible the characteristics of the latest generation platforms.
Unlike the previous hypothesis, the TX is driven by only one engine, the General Electric 404. The double tail rudder should be a peculiarity of the Boeing TX. According to the US socket statement, the system offers the non plus ultra for training future pilots combined with low operating costs for long-term sustainability.
The plane shown a few hours ago is under ground testing. The second aircraft will begin structural test tests in the coming days. Both should fly by the end of the year.
Boeing ensures a fast production line thanks to the use of pre-polymerized components. The series production of the new TX is scheduled for next year, with Initial Operational Capacity fixed at 2023.
(images: Boeing)
