Textron Systems has been awarded a significant $41-million contract to bolster the US Air Force’s T-7A Advanced Pilot Training Program through the development of a Maintenance Training System. This contract, awarded by the federal contractor Akima, spans three years and focuses on the design, assembly, and integration of common fuselage structures intended for three sustainment simulators. These simulators are crucial for training military ground crews tasked with servicing the operational T-7A Red Hawk aircraft and its subsystems.
The training provided by these simulators is comprehensive and designed to create a realistic maintenance environment. Trainees will engage in essential tasks such as component removal and installation, conduct virtual assessments, and perform inspections, among other maintenance procedures. This hands-on training is instrumental in ensuring that maintainers are well-prepared to handle the complexities of the aircraft.
Textron will carry out the bulk of the work at its facility located in Goose Creek, South Carolina. This site is dedicated to producing tactical simulation products aimed at enhancing maintainer skills across various aircraft types, including fighters, bombers, and transport aircraft.
Furthermore, the contract contains options for additional training systems that could increase the total value to as much as $62 million, with the potential for an additional $21 million in funding. For this project, Textron will collaborate closely with Akima’s subsidiary, Pinnacle Solutions, based in Alabama.
Steve Mensh, the senior vice president of electronic systems at Textron, expressed confidence in the collaboration, stating that the team brings decades of experience in advanced maintenance training systems. He highlighted the importance of equipping the US Air Force with essential skills and capabilities necessary for the maintenance of the T-7A and its systems. Mensh emphasized that this initiative is a testament to Textron Systems’ commitment to training excellence and mission readiness as part of its partnership with the Air Force.
