The decision on the new Advanced Jet Trainers of the Armed Forces is imminent. With Aero Vodochody, Saab/Boeing and Leonardo three manufacturers or defense cooperations are hoping to win the contract.
In December 2020, the Austrian Armed Forces decommissioned its second jet system alongside the Eurofighter after 50 years of operation (!) – The 105 model, which was originally designed by Saab as a business aircraft, was initially used in Austria as a main interceptor and fighter-bomber, and finally as an auxiliary interceptor, photo reconnaissance aircraft and jet trainer, but its record of 254,000 missions and 156,500 flying hours is still impressive.
So the successor will have big shoes to fill. However, the new Advanced Jet Trainer desired by the Austrian Armed Forces should be able to do even more; due to its outdated equipment, the Saab 105OE was ultimately only able to cover part of the domestic military pilot training. https://militaeraktuell.at/schweizer-sagen-flugshow-airspirit-24-ab/ For years, the red-white-red pilots have had to relocate to Lecce and Deci (Sardinia) for the costly training phases III and IV, and to Rostock (Laage) for phase V. The aim of the new jet trainers is to bring these training courses back to Austria. The aim is to bring these training courses back to Austria with the new jet trainers, but also to ensure air-to-ground combat capability. A welcome side effect would be the “downloading” of expensive Eurofighterflight hours into the much more cost-efficient armed trainer. In addition, this should also take into account the inevitable transition from the red-white-red Tranche 1 jets to a new fighter jet system in the coming decade with a view to the training requirements that will then be necessary.
The procurement scope primarily involves twelve aircraft, with delivery of the first system targeted for the end of 2026. The service life is expected to be at least 30 years and up to 3,600 fleet flight hours per year, with an availability of at least 75 percent for twelve aircraft. The army is currently considering seven mission equipment packages to fulfill all operational tasks. Also planned are a full flight simulator (FMS), one or two flight training devices (without movement platform), a training package for pilots and technicians from the manufacturer and computer-based training equipment for pilots and technicians in new facilities in Hörsching.
According to Militär Aktuell information, a so-called RFI (Request for Information) was sent to the manufacturers Boeing/Saab (T-7), Leonardo (M-346FA) and Aero Vodochody (L-39NG) last summer for realization on the basis of a performance specification. Their responses had to be received by September 29 and are currently being evaluated; a type decision is possible in the near future. The ministry is aiming for a government-to-government solution (G2G) with a partner nation in order to ensure support for their project organization. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) should be achieved in the fourth quarter of 2028 and Full Operational Capability (FOC) in the second quarter of 2031. According to reports, the robust equipment wish list also includes seven external load stations for the use of precision weapons (laser-guided), its own on-board radar, all-weather capability, the option of aerial refueling, active EloKa containers and Link-16 data radio. In addition, the design should already have been introduced elsewhere when the contract is drawn up.
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