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Air Schooling & Coaching Command is poised to obtain its first T-7A Pink Hawk, the long-awaited next-generation jet coach.
A fly-in ceremony scheduled for Dec. 5 at Joint Base San Antoino-Randolph, Texas, was scrapped as a consequence of climate, nonetheless, delaying the airplane’s arrival from Boeing’s St. Louis manufacturing plant.
Greater than two years after the Air Power accepted its first T-7 at Edwards Air Power Base, Calif., in 2023, which was used for developmental testing, the primary operational plane is assigned to the 99th Flying Coaching Squadron, which is liable for coaching teacher pilots. However first the pilots who train the instructors must get their arms on the airplane.
“The preliminary flying can be achieved to get the preliminary cadre certified, after which we’re going to be placing the plane via its Preliminary Operational Take a look at and Analysis, or IOT&E, part to verify it performs the best way we intend it to carry out within the missionized setting we wish to use it in,” mentioned Lt. Col. Michael “Hyde” Trott, commander of the 99th Flying Coaching Squadron, briefing reporters. “We can be working via that hand in hand with our IOT&E companions.
“Our first college students … [are] projected within the fall of 2027, once we can be requested to start out producing Pilot Teacher Coaching college students to be instructors within the T-7,” he mentioned.
The 99th’s heritage dates again to World Struggle II, when it was the 99th Pursuit Squadron, manned by the famed Tuskegee Airmen. The T-7 was named “Pink Hawk” to honor the Tuskegee Airmen’s “Pink Tails” nickname.
“We’re ready to hit the bottom operating and ensure we create the most effective basis attainable for the following 30 to 40 years of pilot coaching and to write down one other storied chapter within the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and the 99th,” Trott mentioned.
Whereas the primary pilots prepare in flight, maintainers will get acquainted with the care and sustainment of the plane via the IOT&E course of, and can later train others.
“What we sometimes do for an plane is it’s going to have its acceptance inspection at its first responsibility station, and that’s the place we actually spend time attending to know the jet, the ins and outs, ensuring all of the paperwork is so as, that we’ve a secure and dependable platform to fly,” mentioned Jillian T. Watson, AETC’s director of logistics, engineering, and pressure safety. “So that’s the very first thing that we do from a upkeep perspective. After that, we’re going to be hitting the bottom operating on upkeep familiarization, coaching for our first group of pros who will shepherd this jet via its preliminary squadron stand-up right here at Randolph.”
A second jet is predicted by spring 2026, with the 99th finally working 14 plane. Finally, the Air Power plans to have 351 T-7s unfold throughout 5 AETC bases. The Pink Hawks are supposed to switch the growing older T-38 Talon, the workhorse jet coach for superior pilot coaching for the reason that Nineteen Sixties. In the present day, nonetheless, the T-38 is more and more onerous to take care of and outdated, requiring pupil pilots typically must “relearn” strategies after they transfer on to extra superior operational jets just like the F-35.
In a Dec. 3 launch, AETC mentioned it has plans for the T-7 to additionally “finally” change the T-6 Texan II, used for undergraduate pilot coaching. A spokesperson mentioned these plans haven’t been finalized.
The Pink Hawk guarantees main advances, from stadium-style seating, the place instructors can look over the shoulders of their college students, to superior know-how permitting for “stay, digital, and constructive coaching,” enabling pilots to fly missions in tandem with college students in simulators.
“Let’s say we solely wish to produce 4 plane to fly within the air. I can have 4 sims tied into the identical situation and get the identical studying,” Trott mentioned. “A sim sortie won’t ever absolutely change a flight sortie, however they’ll get the identical studying and coaching in the identical situation with their brothers and sisters within the plane at a less expensive value.”
The brand new coach jet is far more consultant of the fourth- and fifth-generation fighters pilots will fly as soon as they attain the operational fleet. However it’s been a protracted street to supply. Air Power and Boeing officers initially touted the Pink Hawk as a pioneer of digital design, boasting how shortly the jet moved from idea to prototype, and anticipating speedy supply and manufacturing. However testing uncovered issues, similar to wing rock at excessive angles of assault, points with the flight management software program, and questions on testing knowledge for its escape system. Funding points additionally contributed to delays.
The service accredited a brand new acquisition technique in January 2025, nonetheless, insisting that they wanted to start out fielding the T-7 shortly and be taught as they go, as a result of the T-38 was operating out of time.
That begins with the primary supply to Randolph.
“The plane supply is the primary bodily illustration of progress throughout the program,” mentioned Brig. Gen. Matthew Leard, AETC’s director of plans, applications, necessities, and worldwide affairs, in an announcement.
Audio of this text is delivered to you by the Air & Area Forces Affiliation, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their households. Discover out extra at afa.org