Advanced Trainer Replacement T-7A

The Advanced Pilot Training (APT)/T-7A Red Hawk program will replace the Air Education and Training Command's (AETC) aging T-38C fleet with an affordable and integrated system. This system includes 351 new aircraft, a Ground Based Training System (GBTS), a Maintenance Training System (MTS), and the necessary infrastructure to meet AETC's need date of FY 2027. The training systems will feature simulators, training devices, and computer-based academics for the Advanced Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training and Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals program tracks. Under an updated 2025 acquisition strategy, four T-7 Production Representative Test Vehicles (PRTVs) were procured and are scheduled for delivery in FY 2026 and FY 2027. This plan includes incentives to expedite Engineering Manufacturing Development (EMD) testing, improve Boeing's production readiness at its St. Louis, MO facility, and accelerate entrance into Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Funding for FY2027 continues aircraft developmental test and evaluation (DT&E) and initiates IOT&E. The MTS will provide maintainers with the foundational skills to maintain the T-7A aircraft through a blended training solution. This includes a suite of Maintenance Training Devices (MTDs) with support equipment, Interactive Multimedia Instruction (IMI) courseware, smart classrooms for instructor-led training, and support environments to manage schedules and data. FY2027 funding continues the design, development, integration, and test of these training capabilities. This funding request directly aids AETC's flying training enterprise to continue increasing its future pilot production, an effort that began in FY 2020 to reduce the 250 per year USAF pilot shortage. This requirement supports performance of a full financial audit as required by title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 9A, Sec 240-D. This program element included all necessary expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, and 0605898F.