Boeing, Lockheed Martin, KAI and Leonardo vie for a $3.4bn contract to develop a training aircraft for Australia

By the middle of the next decade, the Royal Australian Air Force will have a new trainer aircraft. Four companies are vying for the right to supply the aircraft.

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The aircraft will be developed as part of the Project AIR 6002 program, which will run until 2033. It is designed to train pilots of F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and F-35 Lightning II. The Australian government intends to invest C$5bn ($3.4bn) in the project.

Boeing's proposal includes a next-generation T-7 aircraft and a ground simulator. Lockheed Martin and Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), which are acting as a united front, are offering Australia the T-50 Golden Eagle and Leonardo the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer.

Source: Boeing