Earlier this month marked a significant milestone as the inaugural Boeing T-7A Red Hawk advanced jet trainer was delivered to Edwards Air Force Base in California. The upcoming flight test program is anticipated to lead to the replacement of the Northrop T-38 Talon, which has been in service since the third month of the Kennedy Administration.
Referred to as the APT-2, this single-engine trainer was piloted on the delivery mission by a joint USAF/Boeing crew, as noted by the Air Force. The delivery journey included stops at Vance AFB in Oklahoma, Kirkland AFB in New Mexico, and Luke AFB in Arizona. The collaborative effort of the T-7A Integrated Test Force, featuring USAF and Boeing team members working closely together, underscores the commitment to testing and certifying the aircraft for operational deployment.
Major Jonathan Aronoff, a T-7A test pilot in the USAF, emphasized, "The T-7A provides immense capability updates that will enable the Air Force to train the next generation of combat aviators. The success of the first delivery is truly a testament to the joint USAF/industry team we have in place."
The Red Hawk, distinguished by its red tail feathers, pays homage to the World War II-era Tuskegee Airmen who flew red-tailed P-51 Mustangs as the first Black U.S. pilots to serve in combat.