The T-7A Red Hawk is scheduled to achieve IOC with the US Air Force in 2024. (Photo: Boeing)
Boeing's T-7 advanced trainer has been troubled by financial problems with the manufacturer posting a $367 million charge for the programme, caused by supplier negotiations influenced by supply chain problems, COVID-19 issues and inflationary pressures.
The charge was declared by the manufacturer in its Q1 2022 results, published on 27 April and which also showed that defence related activities saw a drop in revenue to $5.5 billion - a 24% decrease from quarterly figures recorded for the same period in 2021.
On a more positive note, the manufacturer pointed to a number of key contracts and manufacturing milestones secured or achieved over the course of Q1 2022, including, an order for six USSOCOM MH-47G Block II Chinook helicopters; the building of New Zealand's first P-8A MPA and completion of the 400th T-7A Red Hawk test flight.
Shephard's Defence Insight suggests that a procurement decision covering two low-rate production and eight rounds of full-rate production will be approved by the US DoD for the T-7A effort after 2023, with the USAF currently on course to buy 351 aircraft.
Boeing's military aircraft deliveries were broadly in line with numbers recorded in Q1 2021. The new figures revealed 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters were made, alongside seven CH-47F Chinooks, four F/A-18 fighters, four KC-46 tankers, three P-8 MPAs and one F-15 jet.
The UK’s National Security Strategy brings together the recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR), Strategic Security Review, AUKUS Review and Industrial and Trade Strategies. At the same time, the UK made a commitment to reach defence spending of 5% of GDP by 2035 and Germany committed to 3.5% by 2029.
The House Committee on Appropriations approved a FY2026 bill reducing investments in main defence programmes.
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was launched as one of the first acts of the UK’s new Labour Government in June last year. The review has recommended a major big-picture reform of the country’s forces.
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