Aircraft
BAE Systems, Boeing, and Saab Team for UK Trainer
The proposal commits to a UK final assembly facility
BAE  T-7 Red Hawk
A full training system with ground-based aids is being offered to the UK’s Royal Air Force. It is based on the T-7 Red Hawk. © David McIntosh/AIN

BAE Systems has signed a teaming agreement with Boeing and Saab to offer a next-generation pilot training system to the UK, based around the T-7 Red Hawk. The advanced jet trainer has been selected by the U.S. Air Force, and it passed its Milestone C in April, leading to an initial production order. A full training system with ground-based aids is being offered to the RAF, with the ability to evolve to meet future training requirements beyond those of the current Typhoon and F-35.

The proposal commits to a final assembly and integration facility to be created in the UK. This would not only create high-skill jobs but also ensure sovereign control over the UK’s future pilot training requirements. A robust supply chain would be established to support the new trainer throughout its UK service.