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The U.S. Air Force is getting a step closer to replacing its aging T-38 trainers as Boeing, along with their partner Saab, completed the first flight of their all-new T-X aircraft earlier this week. The T-X is in competition with other companies to be chosen as the next generation of high performance Air Force jet trainers. During the 55-minute flight, lead T-X Test Pilot Steven Schmidt and Chief Pilot for Air Force Programs, Dan Draeger, validated key aspects of the single-engine jet. Boeing and Saab revealed their first two T-X aircraft in September. The second aircraft is currently in ground testing and expected to fly in early 2017. The FAA is