The T-7A Red Hawk is an all-new Advanced Pilot Training System (APTS) for the U.S. Air Force, with flexibility to evolve as technologies, missions and training needs change.

Digitally designed, built and tested, the T-7A is a low-risk, leading-edge, live, virtual and constructive fifth-generation aircrew training system that delivers a multi-generational leap in capability to revolutionize and reinvigorate fighter pilot training.

The T-7A Red Hawk is the only digital, next-generation trainer on the market that possesses military certification and meets modern training, low-cost needs. Its digital design enables the cost-effective integration of advanced training capabilities that will drastically improve pilot training for the next generation of fighter and bomber pilots.

The T-7A enhances warfighter training through:

• Improved pilot readiness: The all-new advanced pilot training system uses high resolution ground-based training systems and simulators to deliver robust and realistic integrated live, virtual and constructive training capabilities.
• Safety: Model-based engineering enabled testing throughout the aircraft’s design and build help ensure safety before the first flight. The T-7A’s cockpit egress system is the safest of any trainer.
• Flexibility for any mission: With an Open Mission Systems architecture and digital fly-by-wire controls, the T-7A supports training for a wide variety of fighter and bomber pilots and can evolve as technologies, threats and training needs change.

“The T-38 is a true workhorse training Air Force fighter and bomber pilots for Air Education and Training Command, but the T-7A Red Hawk is a game changer, providing advanced mission systems, a glass touchscreen cockpit, stadium seating, and embedded training capability.”

– Col. Kirt Cassell, U.S. Air Force T-7A program manager

The T-7A represents the cornerstone of the complete Advanced Pilot Training System, which includes state-of-the-art ground-based training, the most advanced visual display systems ever fielded in a simulator and Integrated-Live, Virtual and Constructive (I-LVC) and Embedded training.

The system is designed so that it can operate without a ground station or for untethered operations, which:

• Allows multiple aircraft to fly cooperatively or fly against one another
• Allows aircraft to fly against ground simulators
• Allows multiple pre-programmed mission scenarios which can be selected on the fly from the cockpit or controlled from the ground by a mission coordinator

Students flying in the T-7A Red Hawk benefit from enhanced situational awareness, improved decision making, realistic preparation, improved safety and increased confidence compared to other training solutions.

With its purpose-built design, ease of access to maintenance panels and avionics compartments and increased reliability, the T-7A greatly reduces the impact of planned and unplanned maintenance to increase pilot proficiency, safety and force readiness.

Additionally, the Red Hawk is designed around common subsystems with 4th and 5th-gen aircraft to allow for the use of existing maintenance infrastructure, further simplifying maintenance and sustainment for lower life cycle costs.