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.

Here's What We Know

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.

M-346 / T-50

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