Raytheon teams up with Finmeccanica to offer new jet trainers to USAF
The US defence firm as the prime contractor has joined hands with principal partners Finmeccanica, CAE USA and Honeywell Aerospace to offer the T-100 as the next-generation jet trainer to the US Air Force.
Caption: Two T-100s in formation flight. A Raytheon photo
WASHINGTON (BNS): Raytheon has announced its partnership with Italy's Finmeccanica in its bid for the US Air Force's T-X jet trainer programme.
Under the programme, the USAF is set to acquire new trainer aircraft to replace its aging fleet of T-38 trainers.
Raytheon, together with Finmeccanica, CAE USA and Honeywell Aerospace, will offer the T-100 -- an advanced variant of the Aermacchi M-346, with a leading-edge Ground Based Training System.
"The T-100 offers dynamic kinetic performance, while also delivering an embedded, tactical training system that immerses pilots in realistic mission scenarios," said Filippo Bagnato, managing director of Finmeccanica Aircraft Division.
"The M-346, the basis for the T-100, is already operational and preparing pilots around the world for the challenges of today's complex fighter platforms," he said.
While CAE will provide simulation-based training systems, Honeywell Aerospace will provide twin, F124 turbofan engines to power the T-100 via the International Turbine Engine Company (ITEC) joint venture.
Finmeccanica will be the supplier of the Aermacchi M-346 trainer jet which will be the basic platform for the T-100.
The USAF could need as many as 350 next-generation jet trainers under the T-X programme, having an estimated value of US$ 8 billion, to replace the Northrop-built T-38s which are in use since 1959 to train rookie pilots.
Other contenders for the programme include Boeing-SAAB team offering a newly designed aircraft; Northrop Grumman-BAE Systems team with a new aircraft; and Lockheed Martin-Korea Aerospace Industries offering the T-50 jet trainer.
Under the programme, the USAF is set to acquire new trainer aircraft to replace its aging fleet of T-38 trainers.
Raytheon, together with Finmeccanica, CAE USA and Honeywell Aerospace, will offer the T-100 -- an advanced variant of the Aermacchi M-346, with a leading-edge Ground Based Training System.
"The T-100 offers dynamic kinetic performance, while also delivering an embedded, tactical training system that immerses pilots in realistic mission scenarios," said Filippo Bagnato, managing director of Finmeccanica Aircraft Division.
"The M-346, the basis for the T-100, is already operational and preparing pilots around the world for the challenges of today's complex fighter platforms," he said.
While CAE will provide simulation-based training systems, Honeywell Aerospace will provide twin, F124 turbofan engines to power the T-100 via the International Turbine Engine Company (ITEC) joint venture.
Finmeccanica will be the supplier of the Aermacchi M-346 trainer jet which will be the basic platform for the T-100.
The USAF could need as many as 350 next-generation jet trainers under the T-X programme, having an estimated value of US$ 8 billion, to replace the Northrop-built T-38s which are in use since 1959 to train rookie pilots.
Other contenders for the programme include Boeing-SAAB team offering a newly designed aircraft; Northrop Grumman-BAE Systems team with a new aircraft; and Lockheed Martin-Korea Aerospace Industries offering the T-50 jet trainer.
