USAF T-X Jet Trainer Program

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is offering an integrated, next-generation training solution for the U.S. Air Force's Advanced Pilot Training competition. Raytheon, one of the world's preeminent training and avionics companies, is the prime contractor, with principal partners Finmeccanica, CAE USA and Honeywell Aerospace.

"The success of our nation's future pilots depends on a comprehensive trainer to prepare them to take full advantage of the capabilities unique to advanced 4th and 5th generation fighters," said Rick Yuse, president of Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems. "Our affordable, low risk, open systems solution combines a proven aircraft with a suite of fully integrated training technologies. Our team is best positioned to bring the essential experience, capabilities and core competencies together to meet the United States Air Force's mission requirements."

Nearly 45,000 pilots and crew have earned their wings on the training systems designed, developed and fielded by this Raytheon led-team. This solution combines the T-100, an advanced variant of the Aermacchi M-346, with a leading-edge Ground Based Training System.

"The T-100 offers dynamic kinetic performance, while also delivering an embedded, tactical training system that immerses pilots in realistic mission scenarios," said Filippo Bagnato, managing director of Finmeccanica Aircraft Division. "The M-346, the basis for the T-100, is already operational and preparing pilots around the world for the challenges of today's complex fighter platforms."

CAE USA designs and develops some of the world's most sophisticated, simulation-based training systems for lead-in fighter trainer aircraft.

"Our system will prepare Air Force pilots to safely and efficiently fly the most advanced fighter aircraft," said Gene Colabatistto, group president – Defense & Security, CAE. "Our integrated simulation technologies will play an increasingly critical role in ensuring sophisticated, safe, cost-effective training for the United States Air Force."

Honeywell Aerospace will provide twin, F124 turbofan engines to power the T-100 via the International Turbine Engine Company (ITEC) joint venture. With more than 800,000 operating hours across the entire F124/F125 turbofan engine family to date, the F124 delivers best-in-class thrust-to-weight ratio, proven reliability and enhanced efficiency.

"Honeywell's F124 turbofan engine ensures training and light combat aircraft have the best power, easiest maintenance, flexibility and low life-cycle cost to support all types and roles of missions," said Carey Smith, president, Defense and Space, Honeywell Aerospace. "The F124 engine reduces pilot workload with new automation features that allow a pilot to focus on flying the aircraft for its mission."

http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/2016-02-22-Raytheon-team-to-deliver-next-generation-jet-trainer

T-100 Fact Sheet:

http://www.aleniana.com/documents/8005904/75345586/factsheet_t100.pdf

 

The TA-50 is a joint venture between KAI and Lockheed Martin, it also uses a GE engine. The TA-50 was also developed from the F-16 so there are probably some mechanics that work the same and maybe some parts are even the same or very similar. The TA-50 is probably low cost as well because it was purchased by some nations that have smaller military budgets. From this perspective it may make more sense to get it.

On the other side the T-100 is a beautiful jet and is in use with the Israeli Air Force and by Singapore Air Force. The T-100 looks more solid to me.

 

Lockheed's T-50A Lifts Off for First Time Ahead of T-X Competition​

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WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin's upgraded T-50A jet trainer successfully completed its first flight test, a key milestone for the aircraft Lockheed is offering for the Air Force's next-generation trainer fleet.

The flight took place in Sacheon, South Korea, as the T-50A is currently manufactured there jointly by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin.

"The aircraft in its new configuration with the 5th Gen cockpit and other upgrades performed flawlessly," Mark Ward, Lockheed Martin T-50A lead test pilot, said after his flight. "I have no doubt this aircraft will close the gap which currently exists between the trainer fleet and 5th Generation fighters."

The T-X is a crucial piece of the Air Force's plan to eventually replace all of its fighter jets with the fifth-generation F-35s and F-22s, as the service needs an upgraded trainer fleet to properly train its rising pilots to fly fifth-generation aircraft.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/de...ff-first-time-ahead-t-x-competition/85289856/

T-X, future T-38 jet replacement, requirements released
By Capt. Jason Smith, Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs / Published March 20, 2015

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force officials released requirements for the T-X trainer aircraft family of systems that will replace the T-38 Talon, March 20.

The release is the first under the service’s new ‘Bending the Cost Curve’ initiative and follows Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James’ emphasis on increased dialogue with industry to build affordability into the acquisition process.

“The industry dialogue will help guide Air Force evaluation of threshold and objective requirements, producing better informed cost-capability decisions,” James said.

“The T-X requirements are being released approximately 10 months earlier than under the normal acquisition process and is part of an ongoing effort for more deliberate and open engagement with industry,” said Brig. Gen. Dawn Dunlop, the director of plans, programs and requirements at Air Education and Training Command.

The initial draft requirements were released in 2012, allowing industry to make more informed, early design decisions, Dunlop said. Ultimately, the collaboration will shape a more capable and affordable pilot training system for the Air Force.

The T-38 is no longer a practical trainer to prepare Air Force pilots for newer, more advanced aircraft, Dunlop said. Currently, 12 of 18 advanced pilot training tasks can’t be completed with the T-38, relying on fighter and bomber formal training units to complete the training at a much greater cost.

“Cockpit and sensor management are fundamentally different today in 4th- and 5th-generation aircraft than it was when the T-38 was built in 1961,” Dunlop said. “While the T-38 has been upgraded to a glass cockpit, the inability to upgrade the T-38’s performance and simulated sensor capability presents a growing challenge each year to effectively teach the critical skills essential to today’s military pilots.”

A second issue for the T-38, according to Dunlop, is aircraft sustainment. The T-38s assigned to AETC have not met the command’s requirement for 75-percent availability since 2011, meaning many are not mission capable and unavailable for training.

The T-X requirements identify three key performance characteristics for the advanced pilot training mission: sustained G, simulator visual acuity and performance, and aircraft sustainment. While there are just over 100 requirements in all, these were the most critical to ensure the T-X Family of Systems closes training gaps and creates strategic agility for the future.

A highlight in the requirements is embedded training with synthetic sensors and data link. Significant progress has been made the past decade in synthetic training that very closely approximates the real system. Currently, nine partner air forces already have advanced pilot training systems that take advantage of these increased capabilities.

The Air Force plans to award a contract for 350 T-Xs to replace the 431 AETC T-38s in the fall of 2017, with initial operational capability by the end of 2023. The service will accept proposals for currently fielded and clean-sheet designs to meet the Air Force’s undergraduate pilot and introduction to fighter fundamentals training needs.

One requirement not part of the release is for the T-X to serve in a “red air” or adversary role, during live-fly exercises. The fiscal year 2016 budget includes approximately $40 million across the Future Year Defense Plan in Stores-Aircraft Interface funds as a wedge to provide future planning or development options related to T-X.

“The money for the Stores-Aircraft Interface project should be considered separately from the Advanced Replacement T-X program,” said Gen. Robin Rand, the commander of AETC. “A T-X variant is just one option for red air if we decide there’s a requirement for it.”

The requirements released March 20 were shaped by cross-talks between major command leaders, program office discussions and partner buy-in, Rand said.

“The T-X offers the right capabilities to train our Air Force pilots well into the future,” Rand continued. “It’s designed to meet our nation’s needs, reduce inefficiencies, and increase effectiveness while keeping the cost as low as possible.”

http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDispl...38-jet-replacement-requirements-released.aspx