Gen. Mike Holmes, head of Air Combat Command, said the U.S. Air Force is considering if the T-X trainer aircraft can be acquired to meet the service’s other requirements like performing light-attack missions or serving as an “aggressor†plane, Defense News reported Thursday.
“You could imagine a version of the airframe that could be equipped as a light fighter. You can imagine a version that is equipped as an adversary air-training platform,†Holmes told reporters at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium Thursday. He said whether those considerations will transition to a formal procurement program depends on several factors, including the budget.
In September, the service awarded Boeing a potential $9.2 billion contract to develop up to 475 T-X trainer jets and 120 ground-based training platforms.
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