[Avionics Today 01-15-2016] Boeing has a struck a new 10-year contract with the U.S. Air Force to maintain and upgrade avionics, cockpit displays, control panels and communication systems for a fleet of 456 Force T-38 Talon trainer aircraft. Boeing has been responsible for maintaining the T-38 fleet for the past 16 years.
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| Bahrain International Airport. Photo: Bahrain International Airport |
Under the terms of the agreement, Boeing will also be responsible for upgrading 37 aircrew training devices. Originally manufactured by Northrop, the T-38 is the primary training jet for the Air Force and NATO nations.
The Air Force plans to replace the T-38 with the new T-X pilot training system. Boeing is teamed with Saab in competing for T-X. They will offer an all-new, purpose-built system that includes the aircraft and associated ground-based training and support systems.