A T-45C Goshawk, attached to Training Airwing (TV) 2, launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michael Gomez)
WASHINGTON — Boeing is exiting the competition for the Navy’s new training jet, the defense firm announced today.
While Boeing had previously said it would compete for the Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS), the company told Breaking Defense it has determined that the T-7A Red Hawk training jet they are producing for the Air Force doesn’t fulfill Navy requirements.
“Boeing is focused on meeting our commitments, and we bid for programs where we believe we can provide the right solution tailored to our customers’ needs and requirements. After careful evaluation, we have determined the T-7A does not meet the U.S. Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System requirements,” a Boeing spokesperson said in a statement to Breaking Defense.
The T-7A, which was cleared for low-rate initial production in May, is outfitted with the F404 engine. But meeting the engine qualification requirements the Navy is seeking for the UJTS would mean long-cycle development, and would hamper Boeing’s ability to quickly reach initial operational capability, the spokesperson said.
