Air Force weighing turning T-7 into F-7 armed light attack jet: Official
Despite not talking to Boeing about development of a F-7 armed light attack aircraft based off the T-7A Red Hawk, a USAF official has revealed the service is interested in such a concept, and could look to replace older F-16s with it.
By TIM MARTIN and MICHAEL MARROW
on November 08, 2023 at 10:19 AM
MADRID and WASHINGTON — A US Air Force official has revealed the service is actively considering a new, armed variant of the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk, dubbed F-7, which could potentially replace older F-16 fighter jets.
A request for information (RFI) will be prepared to outline necessary requirements to industry, the official told Breaking Defense at the International Fighter Conference in Madrid, under the Chatham House Rule, adding that USAF has “not talked” to Boeing about developing the aircraft.
The decision to move out with a RFI implies that USAF wants to include the views of other contractors capable of weapons integration and additional technologies. The T-7 was built with an open architecture and digital design, which lend themselves to such development and industry collaboration.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11/air-force-weighing-turning-t-7-into-f-7-armed-light-attack-jet-official/