Saab recently delivered the last of five rear bodies for the T-7A Red Hawk training aircraft to Boeing in the USA as part of an initial delivery phase. Saab has previously delivered two more rear bodies for static tests and fatigue tests respectively.
The delivery, which was made in May 2022, is part of the initial production phase Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD phase) and constitutes an important milestone in the program. All future production of rear bodies for the T-7 will now be transferred from Linköping to Saab’s new plant in West Lafayette.
Within the partnership with Boeing, Saab produces the rear body of the T-7, complete with all systems installed, and contributes its experience in advanced digital development. Boeing connects Saab’s rear body with the front body that the company manufactures itself, and then the wings and fins are mounted to complete a complete test aircraft for the EMD phase.
— The development strategy for the T-7 is based on digital models, which is a completely new approach to aircraft development. The T-7 program is a good example of how Saab is investing in international growth and shows that we are a world-class aircraft developer and a unique business partner, says Jonas Hjelm, head of Saab’s Aeronautics business area.
Boeing and Saab rolled out the first completed T-7A Red Hawk built for the EMD phase in April 2022.
The T-7A Red Hawk is a completely new, advanced pilot training system developed for the US Air Force to train the next generation of fighter pilots for decades to come. Saab and Boeing’s groundbreaking strategy for the design, construction and production of military aircraft meant that the first two T-Xs could go from idea to first flight in just 36 months.
