BAE Systems announced Thursday that L-3 Link Simulation and Training is joining its industry team that is offering the Hawk Advanced Jet Training System as a replacement for the Air Force’s T-38 trainer. Hawk AJTS integrates live and synthetic air and ground-based elements to train pilots to operate fifth generation fighters, states a company release. L-3 Link will lead the design and integration of the Hawk’s ground-based training system. The Air Force intends to procure some 350 aircraft and related elements, though the service has yet to issue the request for proposal, said Bob Wood, BAE’s T-X campaign lead, during a teleconference Thursday. “We are waiting to see what the budget looks like for 2013 and in the [Fiscal 2013-2017 future years defense program],” said Wood. Despite the tightening defense budget, “we believe [T-X is] going to move forward,” he said. (See also AETC Boss Says T-X a Matter of Balance.)
Promotions to the Space Force’s second highest enlisted grade, senior master sergeant, have surged to the highest level in the young service’s history, bolstering the senior NCO corps as officials plan to aggressively expand the force and especially the enlisted corps.