Boeing T7 Redhawk: The Pinnacle of Pilot Training and the Future of Aerial Combat

Discover how the Boeing T7 Redhawk is revolutionizing the skies and why this might be Boeing's final maneuver to maintain dominance in the fighter airframe market. We'll take you under the wing of this advanced jet trainer, a collaboration between Boeing and Swedish aerospace titan Saab, which serves as a beacon of hope for the future of manned fighter jets. As we chart the Redhawk's journey from its inception to its burgeoning role in military aviation, you'll grasp why this aircraft isn't just preparing pilots for the skies—it's also launching the ambitions of two industry leaders into the stratosphere.

Join us for a dynamic exploration of how this state-of-the-art aircraft compares with its legendary predecessor, the Northrop T38 Talon, and the monumental shift it represents in pilot training. From its fully digital cockpit to simulated warfare capabilities, the T7 is the harbinger of next-gen air dominance, set against the backdrop of a potential pivot to unmanned systems. We lay bare the synergies of the Boeing-Saab partnership that have forged an airframe capable of high-G maneuvers and unprecedented maintainability, ready to steer the future of aerial combat and secure its place in the annals of aerospace history.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:06

Could this be the last chance for an aerospace giant? Meet the Boeing T7 Redhawk, A jet that's not just training the next generation of pilots, but also standing at the crossroads of history. What you're seeing may well be the swan song of manned trainer aircraft as the world leans towards unmanned systems or drones. Thanks for listening to the pilot photo podcast. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and the YouTube channel as well. I will leave links to the description of supersonic show notes below. For Boeing, the stakes are sky high. The T7 isn't just another aircraft. It might be their final play in securing a fighter airframe contract. This jet could be the lifeline. Boeing needs A chance to soar once again in the competitive skies of military contracting. But Boeing isn't alone in this venture. With critical components crafted by Saab, the T7 shares its DNA with the renowned JAS-39 Grippen. This partnership isn't just about building a trainer. It's about shaping the future of two aerospace giants. Make no mistake the T7 is critical. It is the stepping stone for pilots destined for the next generation air dominance or NGAD fighter. Join us as we unfold the story of the T7 Red Hawk how there are plans to make this into a fighter, why the Navy is interested and why the T7 is not just an aircraft training pilots, but the aspirations of two leading aerospace players and the future of manned fighter jets. We are cleared for takeoff, here we go.

Speaker 1: 1:55

The Boeing slash. Saab T7 is an aircraft that's more than just a trainer. It's become a symbol of international collaboration and cutting-edge technology. Born from a partnership between American aerospace giants Boeing and Sweden Saab, the T7 Redhawk has emerged as a front-runner in advanced jet training. The Redhawk beat out contenders from Lockheed Martin and Leonardo when, back in September of 2018, the US Air Force announced its choice of the T7 for its TX program. In doing so, the Air Force has agreed to a $9.2 billion contract, which calls for the purchase of some 351 aircraft, 46 simulators and the associated maintenance and support. It's hard to overstate how important and needed a new trainer is for the Air Force. For starters, the Redhawk will be replacing a legend, the venerable Northrup T38 Talon. The T38 has trained generations of pilots since taking its first flight in the 1950s. However, as good as the Talon was and is, it's time for a replacement.

Speaker 1: 3:08

The T7 is advanced in every way compared to the T38. For example, the Redhawk is equipped with cutting-edge technology, from data links to simulated radar, which will prepare pilots for the rigors of modern warfare. Its all-digital technology and fully digital cockpit represent the pinnacle of pilot training, mirroring the advanced systems of fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 Lightning. Furthermore, the Redhawk airframe is designed for high G and high angle of attack maneuvers, along with a strong emphasis on being easily maintained. Part of this was made possible by SOB's Digital Engineering software, which helped bring the airplane from the initial design to its first flight in just 36 months. The T7's advanced digital production line means that it just takes 30 minutes to splice the airframe. Sob builds the AFT section of the Redhawk and in 2019, SOB announced that it would open a US manufacturing facility for the T7 in Indiana with Purdue University. The Redhawk's large canopy provides excellent visibility, and night operations have also been implemented in the design.

Speaker 1: 4:25

The airframe has been built in a way to allow it to convert in the near future to an agreement. Getting back to the T38 comparison, the T7's single engine is the GEF-404, the same engine that is also found on the Legacy Hornet and early models of the SOB Gripen. This single engine puts out three times the thrust of the T7, and it's a great engine for the T-38. The T-38 is the first to be built in a way to allow it to convert in the near future to a more advanced version of the SOB Gripen. This single engine puts out three times the thrust of the two engines found on the T38. Additionally, with a max takeoff weight of just over 12,000 pounds, the T7 should have a greater than one-to-one thrust ratio, thanks to the 17,000 pounds of thrust provided by the afterburning F-404 engine. The design is sometimes painted red, While it all comes down to what's in a name. In a nod to a significant chapter in aviation history, the US Air Force Christianed the aircraft as the T7A Red Hawk in September of 2019. This designation serves as a homage to the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, renowned for their distinctively red-tailed aircraft, and acknowledges the Kurdish P-40 Warhawk, famously piloted by the 99th Fighter Squadron, the first African-American fighter squadron in the US Army Air Force.

Speaker 1: 5:57

Looking ahead to the future, as recent conflicts across the world have shown us, drone warfare is here to stay. Aircraft like the F-35 Lightning are designed to be combat information nodes controlling the battle space with state-of-the-art avionics and sensor fusion. Part of this integration involves collaborative combat aircraft, or CCAs. These advanced AI-powered unmanned aircraft are the cutting edge of warfighting and the sixth-generation NGAD fighter, along with the B-21 Raider, are set to take full advantage of these drones. Given the fact that the T-38 has served for over 50 years as a trainer, the T-7 Red Hawk could represent the last manned trainer that the Air Force uses. It is, without a doubt, the dawn of a new era in fighter aircraft, and the T-7 has been designed to be combat information nodes with advanced avionics to take full advantage of it.

Speaker 1: 6:56

Export Fighter. Today, the F-16 is the most exported and popular fighter in the West. However, as the global fleet of F-16s begins to age out, many nations are looking to replace the Viper with either an upgraded option or another airframe. Boeing intends to offer an armed version of the T-7, which has been tentatively designated the F-7. To compete in the global export market. Given the fact that the Red Hawk is a clean sheet design and easy to maintain, there could be some serious competition in the multi-role light fighter attack export market. Some nations are still operating Northrop F5s and the Red Hawk could also be a good fit here. The viability of the Red Hawk as an export fighter could be a blessing for both Boeing and SOB. Boeing, of course, has faced recent challenges in their commercial aviation business with the 737 MAX and on the military business side of things, the long-running Super Hornet will cease production this year. This would leave Boeing without a contract for a fighter, assuming they do not get the NGED contract. I've done a video all about the NGED competition. You can check out that video after this one For SOB the situation is somewhat similar.

Speaker 1: 8:16

Sob has tried for years to find an export market for its highly adaptable JAS-39 Gripen, but has lost competitions in Europe to Lockheed's F-35 Lightning. The notable success for the Gripen was the adoption of the fighter by Brazil, which designated it the F-39E and F. Interestingly, Brazil also operates F5s, as mentioned before. The Gripen A-D models also use the GE F-404 engine, and an export market for the Red Hawk would go a long way in keeping SOB's aerospace operations moving. Boeing has pitched the Red Hawk to the Brazilian Air Force and, given some commonality with the Gripen, this could be an easy sell for Boeing and SOB.

Speaker 1: 9:04

The other customer for the Redhawk could be the Navy, which is looking to upgrade from its T-45 Goss Hawk. Quick shout out to all of you who helped me with the pronunciation on my community post. A navalized version of the Redhawk, known as the T-7B, has been submitted for the Navy's Tactical Surrogate Aircraft Program. This program seeks to find a new aircraft that can be used by the Navy as both an advanced trainer and adversary aircraft. In this role, the new aircraft would replace the T-45 as a trainer and the F-5 as an adversary. The winner of the Navy's proposal could lead to a sale of up to 64 aircraft. As the T-7A takes flight for the USAF, we are not just seeing a new training aircraft. We are witnessing the dawn of a new era in military aviation, Something that blends heritage with innovation and the next generation of heroes. The T-7 Redhawk could be a game changer. Thanks for listening to the Pilot Photog Podcast. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and the YouTube channel as well. I will leave links in the description slash show notes below. Now you know.