USAF pushes T-38 trainer replacement back to 2020

摘要

The US Air Force has confirmed that its latest budget proposal delays fielding a replacement for the Northrop T-38 Talon advanced jet trainer by three years. The fiscal year 2013 budget proposal unveiled on 13 February postpones initial operational capability for the T-X programme from FY2017 to FY2020, with a contract award to be delayed by one year until FY2016, the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) said. Despite the slip, the AETC remains committed to replacing the T-38s, which entered service 51 years ago. "They're reaching the end of their lifecycle," the command said.