BAE Partners with L-3 for T-X

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.)