Air Force Tweaks T-7 Blueprint Once More: New Test Plane, Postponed Manufacturing
New Breed of Trainers Facing Setback: T-7's Soaring Costs Delay First Production Contract
The US Air Force (USAF) has announced a change in the acquisition plan for the T-7 jets, the forthcoming trainers set to replace the aging T-38 Talons. The newly-introduced adjustments aim to delay the first production contract by a year, pushing it to fiscal 2026, as the Air Force works to address emerging issues and accelerate developing future curriculum for the T-7.
Initially, the plan involved acquiring four more production-representative T-7 jets for test purposes, increasing the test fleet from five to nine, primarily at Edwards Air Force Base, California. This expanded test aircraft fleet will enable the Air Education and Training Command to tackle pending issues faster.
Brig. Gen. Douglas P. Wickert, commander of Edwards's 412th Test Wing, previously conveyed that the T-7 faced control problems during testing at high angles of attack. To quell these issues, multiple updates to the T-7's flight control software have been necessitated, slowing progress. A Boeing spokesperson announced that these problems have been resolved, but they are not uncommon in the testing phase of a new aircraft, as Lt. Col. Jonathan "Gremlin" Aronoff, the Air Force's chief test pilot for the T-7, noted.
The T-7's development has been a rollercoaster since its inception. Back in 2018, USAF awarded Boeing a contract for 351 aircraft, with the T-7 passing its critical design review a year later. However, hiccups surfaced during the following years. Issues with aircraft wing rock at high angles of attack were revealed in 2021, followed by problems with the flight control software and the escape system in late 2022. Furthermore, a wider body size range for the ejection seat and faulty instrumentation caused testing inconveniences, while quality problems with certain T-7 parts reared their head in early 2024.
These setbacks have led to repeated delays in the projected initial operational capability (IOC). Initially scheduled for the end of fiscal 2024, the IOC is now projected for 2027. The Air Force is currently working on accelerating IOC to meet this ambitious goal.
Interim Boeing Defense, Space and Security president and CEO Steve Parker expressed optimism, stating that the partnership between Boeing and the USAF remains strong, and the revised plan provides a production-ready configuration before the initial production, reducing any future risks and speeding the delivery of the crucial capability the Air Force needs.
Slower production procurement is another result of these delays, with the anticipated 2025 buy reduced from 21 to just seven T-7s due to the slippage in the timeline. Congressional action will be sought in the coming months as the Air Force readjusts its plans in light of skepticism and frustration from lawmakers regarding T-7 delays.
- In light of the T-7's control problems and software updates, the US Air Force is envisioning a Space Force or a space-oriented defense strategy to equip pilots with advanced skills for potential space combat.
- With the delayed production of T-7 aircraft, there is growing concern about the security of the air defense, pushing the American defense technology sector to innovate and expedite the development of new aircraft designs.
- As the T-7 aircraft faces a year-long delay in its first production contract, the Air Force is considering alternative aircraft configurations, possibly incorporating advanced space technologies, to ensure a continuous supply of trainers and maintain defense readiness.
