Boeing commences T-7A Red Hawk GBTS production for USAF

Boeing has commenced the production of T-7A Red Hawk’s ground-based training system (GBTS) for the US Air Force (USAF).

T-7A Red Hawk livery rendering by Boeing. Credit: Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies company.

Boeing has commenced the production of T-7A Red Hawk’s ground-based training system (GBTS) for the US Air Force (USAF).

This development marks another step towards the delivery of the trainer to the service.

Currently, the company’s teams are involved in the assembly of the first two weapons systems trainers along with a flight trainer.

Work on the systems is being carried out at Boeing’s St Louis, US, site.

Boeing T-7 Programs vice-president Chuck Dabundo said: “The Red Hawk’s training system is arguably the most advanced in the world. It is a game-changer.

“This system is 100% integrated with the pilot’s real-world experience, offering ‘real-as-it-gets’ simulation.

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“We are working closely with the US Air Force and look forward to testing and fielding the devices.”

The T-7A’s GBTS is based on an open systems architecture of hardware and digital software that has the capacity to grow along with the needs of USAF.

The simulators are said to be important for pilot training and readiness of the USAF.

It can connect to a T-7A aircraft and provide live virtual constructive and embedded training scenarios.

They feature high-fidelity crew stations that provide dynamic motion seats and the Boeing Constant Resolution Visual System’s 8K native projectors, which offer 16 times the traditional high-definition video clarity (1080p).

Boeing Global Services T-7A Training and Sustainment director Sherri Koehnemann said: “This is the most accurate, immersive experience that any pilot can have outside the aircraft.

“We have integrated the training across the board, including ‘one push’ software updates.

“What a pilot sees in the classroom, on his or her desktop training devices, and in the operational and weapon systems trainers will be what they see in the jet. Future pilots can expect more holistic, immersive training.”

The first simulators are expected to be delivered to the USAF in 2023.

In October, Boeing selected Collins Aerospace Systems’ NAV-4500 navigation receivers for the USAF’s T-7A Red Hawk.