Saab Intends to Open T-X Aircraft Production Facility in Indiana

Saab is slated to open a manufacturing facility in West Lafayette, Ind., to support the production of T-X trainer aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Defense News reported Friday.

Saab CEO Hakan Bushke noted that the new location will serve as one of the company’s major sites and potentially provide opportunities in the global market.

The Swedish defense firm teamed up with Boeing to develop the light-attack trainer aircraft as part of the Air Force’s efforts to replace its T-38 Talon trainers.

“T-X is very, very important for us because it’s a new product in a new market and with a new partner,” noted Lars Sjoberg, vice president and head of Saab's trainer segment.

In September 2018, Boeing won a potential $9.2B contract to produce a maximum of 475 T-X trainers and related ground-based systems for the Air Force.

The Boeing-Saab team expects the T-X aircraft to attain an initial operational capability for Air Force missions in 2024.