Saab last week delivered the second rear section for the fuselage of the T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet. On July 24, the part moved from Saab's plant in Linköping, Sweden, to Boeing's facility in St. Louis, in the US state of Missouri.
The production and material shipment doa is the latest milestone in Saab's contribution to the design and development of the T-7A Red Hawk trainer for the United States Air Force (USAF). THE first back section was sent by Saab to Boeing in mid-April. The part was ed with the front section in less than 30 minutes. This achievement is a testament to the use of digital design and engineering, which delivers precision, efficiency and enhanced quality throughout the design and delivery of the T-7A Red Hawk.
Upon completion of the Engineering Development and Manufacturing (EMD) production phase, Saab's new facility in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA will take over Saab's production of the rear fuselage sections for the T-7A program.
“The T-7A demonstrates Saab's approach to international growth and underpins our position as a world-class aircraft company and unique business partner. Together with Boeing, we are achieving our ambitious vision: to redefine what a trainer jet is and to do so through digital engineering. This represents another milestone in fulfilling our commitments.”, said Jonas Hjelm, senior vice president and head of Saab Aeronautics business area.
Boeing will unite the Saab rear section with the front section, wings, vertical stabilizers and tail assembly to become a complete test aircraft for use in the EMD flight test program. The rear section with installed subsystems – hydraulics, fuel and secondary power system – forms the central structure of the aircraft, from behind the cabin to the end of the aircraft, explains the Swedish company.
The Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk has been chosen by the USAF as its new advanced trainer jet. More than 300 units were purchased to replace the Northrop T-38 Talons that are now used in training US fighter and bomber pilots. The aircraft was fully developed by Boeing and Saab using Digital Engineering processes. In this way, the T-7A is the first airplane of the e-Series from the USAF, an organization recognition for aircraft that were designed in this way. Therefore, the plane is also designated eT-7A.
The name Red Hawk is a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, African-American aviators who during World War II fought against racism and the Nazi-fascist threat. The aircraft flown by these military had their tails painted in red and for that reason they became known as "Red Tails".
