Interview | Saab highlights the T-7A Red Hawk's ability to simulate Eurofighter behavior through software change.

In an exclusive interview conducted during the FEINDEF 2025 exhibition in Madrid, Ingemar Karlsson, Saab’s Country Manager for Spain and Portugal, provided new insights into the company’s vision for the T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer aircraft in the European market. Karlsson explained that Saab had just launched the T-7A's marketing efforts in Europe and that the early response has been notably positive.
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The T-7A, formerly known as the T-X, was developed to bridge the gap between foundational pilot instruction and operational conversion onto fourth- and fifth-generation jets such as the Eurofighter. (Picture source: Saab)

Ingemar Karlsson emphasized the all-in-one nature of the system, stating that the T-7A is not merely a jet but an integrated training ecosystem built around the pilot. This includes digital planning, ground-based preparation, and adaptive in-flight training, all of which are connected to the Ground-Based Training System (GBTS), a comprehensive simulator suite equipped with high-fidelity crew stations, dynamic motion seats, and 8K native projectors offering 16 times the clarity of traditional HD video. The GBTS replicates the avionics and flight dynamics of operational fighter jets, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, and supports live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) training scenarios. It is designed to work seamlessly with the T-7A aircraft for embedded exercises, offering scalable and realistic mission rehearsal environments.

The GBTS and the aircraft both use an open systems architecture that facilitates rapid software updates and technology integration. As reported by Karlsson, this enables the T-7A to simulate the systems and behaviors of modern fighter jets such as the Eurofighter. Through software reconfiguration, pilots can train in environments that mimic the interface, radar, flight envelope, and cockpit dynamics of operational combat aircraft. This capability enhances readiness while reducing reliance on expensive flight hours in front-line fighters. For instance, pilots trained on the T-7A become familiar with digital glass cockpits, touchscreens, HUDs, and synthetic vision systems resembling those of fifth-generation platforms like the F-35. Additionally, the aircraft's fly-by-wire control system, equipped with features such as auto-trim, G-limiting, and angle-of-attack limiters, allows for safe execution of high-G maneuvers and complex flight profiles, providing immersive simulations that replicate the fighter's operational environment.

The T-7A Red Hawk, formerly known as the T-X, is the result of a long-term collaboration between Boeing and Saab, which began with the signing of a Joint Development Agreement in December 2013. This cooperation led to the creation of an all-new advanced pilot training system, designed from the ground up to replace the U.S. Air Force’s aging T-38 Talon. The U.S. Air Force officially selected the Boeing–Saab design in September 2018, awarding a $9.2 billion contract that includes the delivery of 351 aircraft, and a full ground-based training system including 46 simulators. The aircraft received its official designation as T-7A Red Hawk in 2019, in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen who flew red-tailed P-51 Mustangs during World War II. The first production representative jets (PRJ) completed more than 500 test flights and achieved over 9,000 test points even before the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) aircraft began flying. The T-X PRJ went from concept to first flight in only 36 months, a timeline enabled by advanced digital engineering, model-based systems development, and 3D design.

The T-7A's modular design and open systems architecture enable the integration of new technologies and mission profiles, thereby reducing the need for extensive live-flight training hours. (Picture source: Saab)

The design and production of the T-7A involve a transatlantic industrial effort. Saab is responsible for the fully installed aft fuselage section, which includes the area from behind the cockpit to the tail cone, excluding the wings, fins, and rudders. The EMD-phase units were manufactured in Saab’s facility in Linköping, Sweden, while initial production is underway at Saab’s newly established factory in West Lafayette, Indiana. This facility, inaugurated in October 2021, was completed on time and on budget and is expected to employ up to 300 personnel by 2027. Saab’s U.S. site not only handles production but also supports advanced R&D in autonomy, artificial intelligence, and next-generation manufacturing processes. The rapid assembly of components is a testament to the T-7A’s digital design. For example, Saab's aft section can be joined with Boeing's forward fuselage in under 30 minutes, ensuring precision and reducing costs. The digital supply chain also supports full-size determinant assembly, minimizing the need for tooling and manual adjustments.

Recent milestones in the T-7A program highlight the aircraft’s progress toward operational deployment. On December 20, 2024, Boeing delivered the fifth and final EMD aircraft, tail number APT-5, to the U.S. Air Force. All five EMD aircraft have been assigned to Edwards Air Force Base for comprehensive testing. One major event took place on April 16, 2025, when the 846th Test Squadron at Holloman AFB successfully conducted a high-speed sled test of the T-7A’s escape system. This test simulated a 450-knot ejection and confirmed the system’s ability to safely accommodate a wide range of pilot body types. The redesigned canopy and seat sequencer reduce injury risk by optimizing parachute deployment timing and debris management. This milestone followed earlier concerns about the ejection system that led to delays, but the test results now confirm compliance with key USAF safety standards.

Saab is responsible for developing and producing the fully installed aft fuselage section, spanning from the end of the cockpit to the tail cone, excluding wings, fins, and rudders. (Picture source: Saab)

Looking ahead, the T-7A Red Hawk is expected to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by 2027, according to Darlene Costello, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Air Force Acquisition, Technology & Logistics. Training squadrons have already begun curriculum integration in preparation for widespread use. The T-7A has generated interest from other armed forces as well. Boeing and Saab are actively marketing variants to Australia, Japan, and NATO countries, with the potential for sales exceeding 2,700 aircraft globally. The aircraft is also being considered by the U.S. Navy for its Tactical Surrogate Aircraft and Undergraduate Jet Training System programs, which together could require over 200 additional units.

Saab executives have emphasized how the T-7A program reflects the company’s core strengths in aeronautical design and systems integration. They highlighted how Saab took “three giant steps in one leap” by teaming with Boeing, re-entering the trainer aircraft market, and co-developing a clean-sheet solution tailored to the needs of the USAF. Saab’s engineers contributed to both the structural layout and digital development of the aircraft. They also underlined that the digital engineering practices used for the T-7A will likely become the new standard for military aircraft production. These innovations allow not only faster prototyping and manufacturing but also higher design fidelity, better system integration, and lower long-term maintenance requirements. Saab delivered seven aft sections from Sweden for the EMD phase, and from now on, all production aircraft will use aft sections assembled in Indiana.

The aircraft received its official designation as T-7A Red Hawk in 2019, in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen who flew red-tailed P-51 Mustangs during World War II. (Picture source: Saab)

The T-7A Red Hawk’s embedded systems, adaptive design, and digital architecture align with the USAF’s vision for a more agile and data-driven force. The transition from the T-38 to the T-7A also reflects broader trends in global air forces seeking scalable, multirole-capable trainers. The aircraft’s combination of physical performance, simulation integration, and digital support systems positions it as a strong contender in the future international training aircraft market. With its symbolic red tail, the Red Hawk honors aviation heritage while representing a significant step forward in modern pilot preparation.

The T-7A Red Hawk is powered by a single General Electric F404-GE-103 afterburning turbofan engine capable of delivering up to 17,700 pounds of thrust with afterburner, supporting a maximum speed of Mach 0.975 and high-agility performance with 8-g maneuverability and a 30° angle of attack. Designed for modern pilot training, the aircraft incorporates advanced technologies such as a digital glass cockpit, fly-by-wire controls, and tandem seating to enhance instructor-student communication. Its integrated training system includes embedded simulation for electronic warfare, radar, and weapons handling, allowing for a complete training experience without the need of external pods. The T-7A’s Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) training capability can be networked with ground-based simulators, enhancing realism and coordination across multiple platforms. Additional design features focus on maintainability and lifecycle cost reduction, with modular systems, open-architecture software, and enhanced diagnostics. This engineering focus ensures high reliability, streamlined upgrades, and minimized operational costs compared to legacy platforms like the T-38.

The T-7A Red Hawk has a length of 14.30 meters, a wingspan of 9.32 meters, and a height of 4.11 meters. It accommodates two crew members in tandem for improved instructor-student interaction, and features a twin-fin tail design, providing excellent visibility and situational awareness for both instructor and student. The aircraft’s empty weight is approximately 8,165 kilograms, with a gross weight of up to 9,979 kilograms, including a 2,000-kilogram fuel capacity stored in the fuselage. The T-7A is engineered to operate at altitudes up to 50,000 feet and can achieve a range of 1,830 kilometers, offering mission endurance that supports advanced training profiles. The configuration of the airframe and internal systems, combined with the aerodynamic profile and high-performance engine, ensures that the T-7A meets or exceeds the demanding requirements of modern military pilot training programs, with performance, safety, and interoperability built into every aspect of its design.