Boeing T-7A Red Hawk Debuts at Edwards AFB, Kicking Off Flight Tests for the U.S. Air Force

The U.S. Air Force has welcomed the first Boeing T-7A Red Hawk, an advanced training aircraft, to Edwards Air Force Base in California, marking a major milestone as it embarks on a comprehensive flight testing program. This initial production model, referred to as APT-2, traveled over 1,400 miles, manned by a team of Boeing and U.S. Air Force personnel, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the program.

Before its arrival at Edwards, the T-7A Red Hawk made strategic pit stops at several Air Force bases across Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona. These visits allowed military personnel a close-up view of the aircraft set to redefine pilot training before it completed its journey. Officially handed over to the Air Force on September 15, the delivery represents a significant step in modernizing the Air Force’s trainer fleet.

Evelyn Moore, the driving force behind Boeing’s T-7 programs as Vice President and Program Manager, highlighted the importance of this transition, “Introducing the T-7A Red Hawk into the Air Force’s test ecosystem at Edwards is critical to validate its role as a top-tier trainer and to ensure its reliability and safety for the pilots of tomorrow.”

The flight testing at Edwards will push the T-7A Red Hawk’s capabilities, beginning with flutter tests and extending into comprehensive evaluation of its flight characteristics and systems. This will set the stage for two additional Red Hawks to join the testing efforts, adhering to the Air Force’s stringent evaluation process.

“We anticipate challenges as with any test initiative, but we’re equipped and ready to address them head-on,” assured Col. Kirt Cassell, chief of the U.S. Air Force’s T-7A Red Hawk division.

Back in 2018, Boeing secured a $9.2 billion contract from the Air Force to supply 351 T-7A advanced trainers and 46 simulators, including associated support, marking a pivotal investment in the future of U.S. military pilot training. This next-gen aircraft is slated to replace the venerable T-38, promising a leap forward in training capabilities for the Air Force.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, boeing.com