The Boeing-made T-7A Red Hawk trainer has completed its developmental phase with the conclusion of the aircraft’s critical design review, Air Force Magazine reported Friday.
USAF evaluated Red Hawk’s capacity to deliver aircraft training alongside simulation systems and other training technologies. The aircraft’s developmental phase took 18 months to complete.
The virtual CDR took place from Ohio and Missouri with the participation of air training and defense procurement officials in California and Washington, D.C. Aircraft-direct CDR activities took place in September 2019 over a 10-day period.
The Air Force will proceed to fabrication activities for the aircraft’s simulator systems and expects to achieve initial operational capability at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in 2024.
Boeing developed Red Hawk in partnership with Swedish firm Saab under a $9.2B contract awarded in September 2018.