Two Companies Could Not Reach A Business Agreement To Move Forward

Raytheon Company and Leonardo have decided not to jointly pursue the U.S. Air Force Advanced Pilot Training program, known as T-X.

The decision was announced jointly in a news release issued by the two companies. "In February 2016, Raytheon and Leonardo announced their intent to team on the T-X pursuit," the statement reads. "While we remain confident that the T-100 is a strong solution, our companies were unable to reach a business agreement that is in the best interest of the U.S. Air Force. Consequently, Raytheon and Leonardo will not jointly pursue the T-X competition."

Raytheon was to have been the prime contractor for the T-100 trainer, which was based on the Aermacchi M-345 aircraft. The airplane was recently selected as a primary trainer for the Italian armed services.

The T-X program will lead to a replacement for the USAF T-38 Talon trainer, which entered production in 1961.

Other companies still in the competition include partnerships between Boeing and Saab; Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries, and; Northrop Grumman and BAE systems.

The Air Force was initially to have had its new trainer operational this year, but it was delayed due to sequestration and other budget cuts. The first pilots are now expected to begin training in their new aircraft in 2023.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.af.mil