BAE Systems, Boeing and Saab announced on 18 November 2025 that they have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) fast-jet trainer programme, leveraging the Boeing/Saab T-7A Red Hawk advanced jet trainer as the core of the training system and creating a path for the three companies to support future international pilot training opportunities.
The companies will collaborate on a training system, integrating live and synthetic training capability and associated mission systems and will explore further opportunities for growing the UK supply chain on the aircraft. BAE Systems will lead the activity, which will include a UK-based final assembly facility.
The requirement for a new UK advanced jet trainer to replace the RAF’s fleet of 28 BAE Systems Hawk T2s was set out in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review.
The original Hawk T1, which is still flown by the RAF’s Red Arrows aerobatic team, first entered RAF service in 1976, with the Hawk T2, featuring advanced avionics and a glass cockpit, was introduced in 2004.
The T-7A Red Hawk, meanwhile, was selected by the US Air Force as the centrepiece of its Advanced Pilot Training System (APTS) in 2018.
It was described in a joint Boeing/Saab/BAE Systems press release as “a leading-edge, integrated-live, virtual and constructive fourth-, fifth- and sixth-generation aircrew training system that delivers a multi-generational leap in capability. Its versatile design allows it to adapt to changing technologies and mission requirements, training new pilots to fly the most advanced multi-role fighter/fast-jet and bomber aircraft in the world.”
Powered by a single General Electric F404-GE-103 afterburning turbofan delivering 49 kN of thrust dry and 77 kN with afterburner, the T-7A has a maximum speed of Mach 0.975, a maximum altitude of 45,000 ft (13,716 m), a maximum angle of attack of 30° and a maximum g limit of 8 g, according to the Boeing website.
The aircraft was designed for ease of access to maintenance panels and avionics compartments and increased reliability to reduce the impact of planned and unplanned maintenance, thus increasing pilot proficiency, safety and force readiness.
The wider APTS, Boeing states, “includes state-of-the-art ground-based training, the most advanced visual display systems ever fielded in a simulator and integrated-live, virtual and constructive (I-LVC) and embedded training”.
Bernd Peters, vice president of business development and strategy for Boeing Defense, Space & Security, was quoted as stating, “Together, Boeing with Saab and now BAE Systems will offer innovative training solutions to best prepare RAF pilots for the future, including advanced fourth-, fifth- and sixth-generation fighters. This collaboration enhances the best of our technological capabilities, strengthens the transatlantic industrial base and offers opportunities for co-operative development.”
Lars Tossman, the head of Saab’s Aeronautics business area, added, “The strong partnership between Boeing and Saab developed the T-7 to be the world’s best solution for future pilot training. By working with BAE Systems, Saab believes the UK can gain a worthy successor to the Hawk that is the right choice for pilots for decades to come.”
Simon Barnes, group managing director for BAE Systems’ Air sector, stated, “Our new collaboration with Boeing and Saab will enable us to present a compelling offer to the UK Royal Air Force and our global customers, leveraging the latest tech innovation in training systems and a world-class jet trainer aircraft. We’re committed to ensuring this solution offers the best overall outcome for the nation to support the UK’s combat air readiness and deliver economic benefit.”
