The U.S. Air Force is delaying the Milestone C decision for the T-7A Red Hawk trainer program until 2026, a move announced in January and confirmed by service acquisition chief Andrew Hunter, according to multiple reports.
The postponement, first reported by Breaking Defense, comes as the Air Force redirects funds initially earmarked for T-7A procurement back into research and development. This shift aims to address issues identified during testing and ensure the aircraft meets all operational requirements, Hunter stated. The Air Force will acquire four additional production-representative aircraft to bolster testing capacity, a measure intended to accelerate the program toward an initial operational capability (IOC) target of 2027.
Boeing, the prime contractor for the T-7A, acknowledged the revised plan. Steve Parker, Boeing’s interim CEO for its defense division, said in a statement that the approach will allow the company to deliver a production-ready configuration, reducing future production risks. The company delivered its first two test aircraft in 2024, with no deliveries recorded in the first half of 2025, according to Aerospace Global News.
The decision to delay Milestone C follows the discovery of issues during early flight tests, including problems with the ACES 5 ejection seat, as reported by Aerospace Global News. These issues contributed to a two-year delay in deliveries of the remaining aircraft. Hunter also indicated that additional funds will be allocated for “incentive agreements” with Boeing, potentially to enhance the aircraft’s range, as reported by The Defense Post. He explained that testing revealed greater range potential than originally contracted for, but achieving it requires additional investment.
The T-7A Red Hawk is intended to replace the aging T-38 Talon fleet, a critical need emphasized by Hunter, who described fielding the T-7A as “critical” for Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The Air Force originally planned to purchase 14 Red Hawks in fiscal year 2025, but that number was reduced to four Production Representative Test Vehicles (PRTVs) following the program review.
The delay represents the latest setback for the Red Hawk program, which is already years behind schedule. Pressure has been mounting on both the Air Force and Boeing to address the delays and ensure the program’s success, according to Breaking Defense. The ACES 5 ejection seat continues to be a key obstacle, failing to meet minimum safety requirements for Air Force airworthiness certification.
Boeing recently demonstrated connectivity between a ground-based T-7A simulator and an airborne aircraft separated by 130 miles, showcasing the integration of live, virtual, and constructive elements designed to enhance pilot training, according to a Boeing Defense post on X (formerly Twitter).
