The Air Force has named Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, as the preferred location for the first T-X Advanced Pilot Trainer, which will replace the T-38C Talon beginning in 2022, the service announced Wednesday.
The service’s other undergraduate pilot training bases are also in line to receive the T-X, including Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi, Laughlin and Sheppard Air Force bases in Texas and Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma, according to an Air Force news release.
The T-X trainer will provide student pilots with skills required to transition to fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
“We need the T-X program to properly train our pilots to fly our growing fleet of fifth-generation aircraft,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein said in the release. “This new training capability will enable pilots to receive realistic training in a system similar to our fielded fighters.”
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph is home to Air Force instructor pilot training, and it will help establish a T-X instructor pilot pipeline, the release said. Basing the new jets there first will also set the conditions to transition to T-X training at the other bases.
Air Force undergraduate pilot training bases use a unique runway structure and airspace that can support a high volume of pilot training, which makes them ideal for the T-X aircraft.
The Air Force will start the required environmental analyses at all undergraduate pilot locations, and final decisions will be based off that.
Three prime contractors — Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Leonardo DRS — are competing for the T-X contract, which calls for the production of 350 trainer aircraft.
In October, Air Force Undersecretary Matt Donovan said he expects the contract to be awarded around the end of March.
Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
