Costello: T-7 sticking to November 2027 IOC timeline, delivery of first ground-based simulator set for October

Costello: T-7 sticking to November 2027 IOC timeline, delivery of first ground-based simulator set for October

The Air Force and Boeing are making significant progress to keep the troubled T-7A Red Hawk training jet in line with Air Education and Training Command's stated target to reach initial operational capability by 2027, the service's top acquisition official told lawmakers yesterday. The “T-7 program is absolutely a priority for us,” Darlene Costello, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, …

T-7 Making Progress on New Ejection Seat, on Track for 2027 IOC

The Air Force announced a successful ejection seat test for its T-7A trainer, and an official told lawmakers the service expects the jet to achieve initial operating capability by November 2027—two signs of progress for the program after many setbacks. “We worked with our training community to make sure we are meeting AETC IOC requirement of November 2027,” Darlene Costello, the service’s principal deputy assistant secretary for acquisition, te…