T-38 Talons etterfølger - Kravspec snart ute

U.S. Air Force Advances T-X Program

by Chris Pocock

 - November 5, 2014, 9:24 AM

Contenders for the T-X requirement include the T-100, a rebranded Alenia Aermacchi M346 that the Italian company is offering with partners General Dyanmics and CAE. (Photo of the original M356 at Farnborough 2010: Per Gram)

                                                                 A Capabilities Development Document (CDD) for                                                                      the proposed T-X jet trainer is nearly complete and                                                                    will be sent to U.S. Air Force acquisition officials in                                                                    the Pentagon by the end of January, according to                                                                      Gen. Robin Rand, commander of Air Education and                                                                  Training Command (AETC). At least five competing                                                                    proposals may be offered for the 350-aircraft T-38                                                                    replacement. Earlier this year, suggestions that the                                                                  program might be deferred were proved wrong                                                                          when the Air Force published the FY2015 budget                                                                      request, which previewed expenditure of $503                                                                          million on the T-X over the next five years.