US Air Force pushes back T-7A production to 2026
The T-7A will replace the USAF’s T-38C Talon aircraft. (Photo: Boeing)
The US Air Force (USAF) and Boeing have agreed to adjust parts of the T-7A Red Hawk acquisition, with four more test T-7As being acquired to help improve manufacturing readiness and boost testing capacity.
The USAF and Boeing have announced that they have agreed a framework to adjust parts of the T-7A Red Hawk acquisition approach to replace its ageing fleet of T-38C Talon training aircraft.
Boeing was originally awarded a fixed-price contract from the US Air Force for the joint Boeing-Saab T-7A aircraft, with 10 fixed price lots for all 350 operational aircraft back in 2018.
The current plan originally assumed a production contract would be awarded to Boeing in 2025, with requested funds for the USAF to purchase seven Lot 1 aircraft in 2025.
The adjusted plan will now reportedly allow for
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate]()
2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate
This year’s (geo)political turmoil has challenged many long-prevailing assumptions, leading to far-reaching consequences for air forces and their supplier bases in industry worldwide – with five key trends in review for 2025.
-
![Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order]()
Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The first of the 12 M-346 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Austrian Air Force by 2028, according to the company.
-
![2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending]()
2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending
Qatar and Indonesia followed the US’s high spending on new uncrewed aerial vehicle contracts across 2025, while MALE and micro drones and loitering munitions were particularly popular subcategories this year.
