Despite a push from industry to keep the T-X program alive, Air Education and Training Command boss Gen. Robin Rand said there is no funding for a new trainer in Fiscal 2014 or Fiscal 2015. Rand told the Daily Report on Dec. 13 he hopes to begin discussions with Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh in February during Corona—a periodic pow wow of top Air Force leaders—on the way forward for T-X. He said the program may also replace T-38s used as companion trainers for the F-22 Raptor and B-2 bomber. Several members of industry met at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, in late January to discuss options available for the T-X. Just last week, Boeing announced it would partner with Sweden’s SAAB Group to bid on the T-X.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
