Here we go again….

p.s. 10 years from first squadron stand-up to FOC? A combat jet with lots of complicated EW and other systems and weapons I can understand, but a trainer?

https://www.airforcemag.com/technica...tion-decision/

Technical Problems Push T-7A Production Decision Back At Least One Year

The Air Force is requesting limited funding for its T-7A Red Hawk next-generation trainer because of technical issues uncovered in testing, which have pushed back the full-rate production decision on the aircraft by at least a year.…..

The Air Force, in a statement, said multiple issues are inhibiting the Red Hawk’s progress toward production. For example, the Milestone C decision, or full-rate production, slipped from 2022 to 2023 because of supplier-side critical parts shortages, initial design delays, and the need for more testing after the “discovery of aircraft wing rock,” which means the T-7 can be unstable in the roll axis when flying at high angles of attack.….

Boeing said in February that the first production aircraft will roll out in early 2022. The first airworthy T-7 will be delivered in 2023, and the first squadron is expected to be operational in 2024, with full operational capability in 2034. The company wants to build up to five deliveries per month, with the Air Force planning to buy 351 T-7As.

The Air Force, in an April acquisition report, said the aircraft had flown more than 250 test sorties, and it was expected to enter Phase 2 of developmental testing in 2021.

Red Hawk?
https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.3im7vx...=7&o=5&pid=1.7

I assume FOC in this case means all the airframes delivered - so the Red Hawk program (rather than the airframe) is delivering at FOC.

Either that or 2034 is a typo!

Probably won’t be long before they add a light fighter version with a radar and some weapons fit, drop tanks etc. 🤔

It never rains but it pours for Boeing…..

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023...-relationship/

GAO blasts T-7 delays, cites ‘tenuous’ Air Force-Boeing relationship

WASHINGTON — Boeing’s effort to build a new trainer aircraft for the Air Force is plagued by safety problems, schedule and testing delays, and the risk the T-7A Red Hawk could fall even further behind schedule, the Government Accountability Office said in a scathing report.

Boeing’s relationship with the Air Force has also been strained by the T-7′s issues, GAO said in the May 18 report, with service officials describing their ties as “tenuous.”….

The aircraft could well have been on schedule and test flying today if the airforce and Boeing had chosen the other seat on offer. Despite improvements with the escape system the delays from the supply chain will no doubt impact delivery severely.

"We are building these aircraft on spec; surely someone will want to buy them ..."
Well, that's what it seems like to me.
(I hope they sort this out, T-38s are getting a bit long in the tooth)