Boeing Sees Global Opportunity to Sell T-X Aircraft; Thom Breckenridge Quoted

Boeing expects its new T-X jet trainer to reach the global market and sell up to 2.6K units after winning a contract in 2018 to replace the U.S. Air Force’s T-38 Trainer built by Northrop Grumman, FlightGlobal reported Tuesday.

Thom Breckenridge, vice president of Boeing, said the U.S. alone is expected to acquire 1K T-X aircraft for the military.

“We’re absolutely focused on the USAF customer,” he said at the 2019 Paris Air Show. “That’s our first and foremost priority.”

Boeing is also in talks with potential foreign military sales customers and the company expects to receive more inquiries in the future, according to Breckenridge.

The aerospace firm hopes to see new opportunities to offer T-X internationally as a number of aircraft are expected to retire in the coming years.

Breckenridge said Boeing is considering modifications to the trainer aircraft to meet the requirements of potential customers.

“Some estimates today suggest one in four modern fighter jets is being used by air forces around the world to do pilot training, instead of their primary mission,” he noted. “What we’re able to do with T-X is address that need.”