First T-7A Red Hawk Arrives At Edwards Air Force Base | Aviation

The arrival marks the formal start of the Air Force’s developmental flight test campaign for the new trainer aircraft.

After struggling with multiple delays, the T-7A Red Hawk finally landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on Nov.8, 2023. The aircraft, known as APT-2, is the first production representative jet off the assembly line and was piloted by a joint U.S. Air Force and Boeing aircrew during a journey which included stops at Vance AFB, Oklaoma, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico and Luke AFB, Arizona, supported by one of Boeing’s Challenger 600 jets.

“The ferry to Edwards marks a major milestone for the T-7 Program as we enter Developmental Flight Test to find out just what this aircraft can do,” said Col. Kirt Cassell, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center T-7 Program Manager. “I’ve challenged the collective team to keep up the momentum and teamwork as we still have a long way to go.”

Red Hawk leaves its nest!

👋 Farewell to the first T-7A #RedHawk ready for its new home at @EdwardsAFB to start Phase III testing with the @USAirForce. Once Air Force test pilots are familiar with the aircraft, they will expand the flight envelope. pic.twitter.com/ygMOTTBFrm

— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) November 9, 2023

This milestone formally commences the Air Force’s developmental flight test campaign for the aircraft, aimed at fielding a replacement pilot training capability for the 1960’s-era Northrop T-38 Talon, which is quickly reaching the end of its service life after 60 years. The Air Force accepted the first of five T-7A Red Hawk Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) aircraft from Boeing in September.

“This arrival marks an exciting transition into the next phase of developmental…

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