On Dec. 20, 2016, the first digitally designed, engineered, and built Boeing T-X advanced trainer recorded its first flight from St. Louis Lambert International Airport. The 55-minute sortie validated key aspects of the jet’s model-based design and demonstrated its performance. On Sept. 27, 2018, the U.S. Air Force awarded a production contract to Boeing, and a year later announced the jet would be designated the T-7A Red Hawk in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen, who flew their WWII aircraft with signature red tails. The first T-7A Red Hawk complete with its red tails rolled out April 28, 2022.
President Donald Trump signed legislation reopening the federal government late Nov. 12, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The move sets the stage for tens of thousands of defense civilians to return to work and guarantees troops will be paid in a few days’ time.
