Boeing’s T-7A Red Hawk advanced pilot trainer has successfully completed taxi tests as it progresses to flight testing later this year.
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The aircraft has succeeded in verifying ground handling capabilities as it replaces the T-38C Talon for the US Air Force advanced trainer aircraft role.
T-7 program manager Evelyn Moore said since the contract award in 2018, Boeing has flown two production representative jets up to six sorties a day recording more than 7,000 data and test points validating the platform’s reliability.
“Our priorities are developing this advanced trainer and getting it to future fighter and bomber pilots,” she said.
“This test brings us one step closer to the T-7A Red Hawk taking to the skies.”
One of five engineering and manufacturing development aircraft that will be used for flight testing is in St Louis and at Edwards Air Force Base later this year.
“The flight controls and commands to the fly-by-wire system were crisp and the aircraft manoeuvred exceptionally well,” Boeing T-7 chief test pilot Steve Schmidt said.
“Everything operated as designed and expected.”