The US Air Force will be forced to invest in older T-38 Talon aircraft due to the delayed delivery of the T-7 Red Hawk

Boeing cannot deliver the T-7 Red Hawk training aircraft to the US Air Force on time. As a result, the service will be forced to extend the life of the Northrop Corporation's T-38 Talon.

Here's What We Know

The contract between the US Air Force and Boeing involves the development, production and delivery of the T-7 Red Hawk training aircraft. The agreement was signed in 2018. The service wants to buy 46 simulators and a minimum of 351 aircraft. Overall, the deal calls for the delivery of up to 475 Red Hawk units.

Boeing has encountered a problem with the catapult seats. Neither the company nor representatives of the US Air Force doubt that all malfunctions will be eliminated, but production of the planes will not begin until February 2025, and deliveries will start in December of the same year.

Because of the delay, the US Air Force will have to spend money to extend the life of the T-38 Talon (pictured above). The Northrop Corporation's aircraft originated in the 1960s. The T-7 Red Hawk is to be the replacement for it.

The US Air Force has already requested additional funding from Congress to fund structural modifications to the Pacer Classic III and to upgrade the avionics of the T-38 Talon. The service wants $125.3 million for these purposes in fiscal year 2024.

Source: Air & Space Forces Magazine