Boeing T-7A undergoing flutter, climatic testing

Boeing T-7A tail number 7002, the first to be delivered to the USAF, taking off from St Louis Lambert International Airport, Missouri, co-located with Boeing's factory. (Boeing/Eric Shindelbower)

The Boeing T-7A Red Hawk is undergoing flutter testing at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) and climatic ground testing at Eglin AFB, Evelyn Moore, Boeing's programme manager for the T-7, told Janes on 2 February.

Boeing delivered three engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) aircraft to the US Air Force (USAF) in 2023, short of the goal of five.

APT-1, as the first aircraft is designated, was delivered to the USAF in December. “We are keeping it [at the Boeing factory] in St Louis [Missouri] for a few more weeks for some remaining ground tests, and then we will ferry that aircraft to Edwards AFB” where it will undergo loads testing.

APT-2 is undergoing flutter testing at the USAF's main test centre at Edwards AFB, California. Flutter testing is often the first series of tests following basic handling qualities. Although testing was intended to be slightly more advanced at this time, “I will say that we've had some maintenance challenged at Edwards that we have overcome”, Moore said.

APT-3 is at Eglin AFB, Florida, in the USAF's climatic chamber, undergoing testing in temperatures that range from -25° to 110°F, Moore said.

“This aircraft will return to St Louis and continue testing for the programme” following its climatic testing. “We will most likely use it to conduct the mission systems testing here in St Louis, and also to support our tech[nical] order certification verification testing,” Moore said.