U.S.A.F. Expands T-7A Testing Fleet as Production Decision Delayed to 2026

The U.S. Air Force has adjusted its timeline for the T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet program, delaying the production decision to 2026 while increasing test capacity by procuring four additional Production Representative Test Vehicles (PRTVs) in fiscal year 2025.

The decision aims to address training needs, reduce risks, and improve the transition from testing to production.

The T-7A program, launched in 2018 under a $9.2 billion contract with Boeing, is designed to replace the aging fleet of T-38C Talon trainers. The Air Force plans to acquire 350 T-7A aircraft to meet modern training requirements.

The additional PRTVs, scheduled for delivery in fiscal year 2026, will join the current fleet of five test aircraft to expedite flight testing and support the development of the Air Education and Training Command’s (AETC) curriculum. This move narrows the gap between the completion of test aircraft and the start of production, minimizing potential costly retrofits during mass manufacturing.

Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, Andrew Hunter, emphasized the importance of these adjustments in maintaining the program's overall schedule. “Reducing overlap between development, testing, and production helps avoid expensive modifications to a significant number of aircraft,” he said.

Under the revised plan, the Air Force will delay the Lot 1 production contract award to 2026 while preserving the program’s 2027 initial operational capability (IOC) target. The current fiscal year 2025 budget request includes funding for the PRTVs and seven Lot 1 production aircraft, pending adjustments.

Boeing delivered the fifth test aircraft in December 2024, marking progress in the program’s development. The additional PRTVs will help the company refine its St. Louis, Missouri assembly line, ensuring readiness for full-rate production, expected to reach 60 jets annually.

The T-7A program, while promising, has faced financial hurdles for Boeing. Fixed-price contract terms and pandemic-related delays have resulted in significant financial losses, including $900 million in penalties during the third quarter of 2024.

Despite these challenges, the T-7A’s features, including networked simulators and fifth-generation-representative avionics, are expected to improve training outcomes while reducing operational costs.