After as reported a combination of model-based construction and 3D design did not anticipate all problems, caused delays and apparently prevented it from being included in the Pentagon budget for fiscal year 2025 (although this is primarily due to the ACES 5 ejection seat from Collins Aerospace – and not Martin Baker), the program for the future USAF (and perhaps US Navy) jet trainer is now likely to make progress after all.
So reports Boeing (Saab produces the rear fuselage in Indiana) announced on April 29 that three development milestones have recently been completed and flight testing is continuing. The T-7A APT-3 (one of five development aircraft for design and production, -> first T-7A arrived at Edwards Air Force Base in California) underwent rigorous testing in the “climate chamber” at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, withstanding temperatures ranging from around minus 32 degrees to plus 43 degrees. This test evaluated performance including propulsion, hydraulics, fuel, electrical, secondary power, environmental control and overall operation under extreme environmental conditions.
In the meantime, APT-3 has returned to Edwards and Holloman AFB for another ten test flights in view of the high angle of attack of 25 degrees achieved.
Emergency systems still an issue
Nevertheless, ejection seats (which became a problem for small female to large male pilots due to the wide range of specified weights) and canopy detonation cords still appear to be a challenge. According to the manufacturer, they and the USAF conducted (another) dynamic sled test at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico in February. This focused on design improvements to Pacific Scientific EMC’s ejection seat and canopy fracturing system to reduce the risk of injury. During the test, the team implemented variable timing to slow the ejection seat by utilizing a drogue chute and examined the patterns of the canopy fracturing system. The team is now preparing to move on to the next round of development testing.
Evelyn Moore, vice president and program manager of the T-7, said, “The T-7A Red Hawk is poised to revolutionize pilot training by providing increased safety, performance and adaptability, and achieving these three milestones demonstrates significant progress in the program’s development. We will continue flight testing and the next round of flight system testing this year and into 2025.”
Incidentally, the still very new supersonic trainer was also selected by the procurers of the aircraft department of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defense as one of three candidates for the successor to the Saab 105OE, which has been awaiting a type decision since last fall. Saab 105OE, which was retired in 2020 was requested.
Highly significant traditional work for the USA
The model was named Red Hawk after the P-51B/C Mustang’s from the final phase of the Second World War. Second World War with their exclusively colored fighter pilots with red tail units, trained in Tuskegee/Alabama, who were pushed up to “First Lady” Eleanor Roosevelt against the racial discrimination inherent in the system at the time. These pilots were stationed in Italy in 1944 and 1945 and also flew escort missions over Austria, the former Ostmark of the Third Reich. A total of 992 colored pilots were trained between 1941 and 1946, 355 of whom were sent overseas to war (first to North Africa on P-40s and then to Italy in 1944/45). 84 lost their lives, 68 in action and twelve in accidents. 32 were taken prisoner of war by the Germans – see the Apple TV series “Masters of the Air”. They were awarded 112 aerial victories, including three Me-262 jet fighters. The “Tuskegee Airmen” destroyed a further 150 aircraft (-> President Trump honored the last surviving pilot of the “Tuskegee Airmen”) on the ground.
Here for more news about Boeing and here to further news about Saab.
