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World Defense & Security Industry News - Boeing
 
 
Boeing wins a $885mn contract to support USAF's T-38C trainer aircraft fleet
 
The US-based defense giant Boeing has won an $855 million US Air Force contract for avionics and logistics support for the Northrop T-38C Talon jet trainer, the United States Department of Defense announced. The Northrop T-38 Talon is a two-seat, twin-engine supersonic jet trainer that has been in service with the US Air Force since 1961.
     
Boeing wins a 885mn contract to support USAF s T 38C trainer aircraft fleet 640 001A USAF Northrop T-38C Talon trainer aircraft
     
“The location of performance is St. Louis, Missouri; and Air Force and Navy bases located in Texas, Mississippi, Maryland, and Oklahoma,” the announcement, which was issued on Monday, stated. This contract is expected to be completed by Jan. 3, 2026.

More than 1,100 were delivered to the Air Force between 1961 and 1972 when production ended. The US Air Force began receiving T-38C models in 2001 as part of the Avionics Upgrade Program. T-38C models has also undergone a propulsion modernization program which replaces major engine components to enhance reliability and maintainability, and an engine inlet/injector modification to increase available takeoff thrust. These upgrades and modifications, with the Pacer Classic program, should extend the service life of T-38s to 2020.

A total of 546 T-38C Talon remain in service in the USAF. The USAF has launched the T-X Program, to replace the T-38 and is expected to begin in FY 2017.