BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) have formed an exclusive strategic partnership to compete to replace the T-38 trainer in the U.S. Air Force’s “T-X” program.
The companies plan to offer BAE’s Hawk advanced jet training system, which integrates live and synthetic air- and ground-based elements to train pilots for 5th generation fighters such as the F-35 Lightning II and the F-22 Raptor.
BAE will prime the pursuit and Northrop will serve as the manufacturing partner for the new Hawk aircraft.
“Northrop Grumman’s extensive background as the original equipment manufacturer of the T-38 Talon coupled with the company’s training expertise will make the Hawk AJTS – already a formidable offering – that much more competitive in this procurement, ” said Larry Prior, executive vice president of service sectors for BAE Systems.
“The BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman team will apply its expertise and lessons learned from decades of aircrew training and aerospace manufacturing to this project, enabling the U.S. Air Force to succeed in every possible way in their critical missions, ” said Thomas E. Vice, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Technical Services.
