Textron Aviation has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy to develop the T-54A multi-engine training system (METS) aircraft to replace the T-44C, the service announced on Jan. 25.
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Jerry Gunner from Lincoln, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The T-54A aircraft will be used to give advanced training in handling instruments and engines to student naval pilots who will be part of multi-engine fleet communities. This contract will provide new planes to train pilots from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard to fly aircraft that do not have centerline thrust such as the V-22 Osprey, E-2D Hawkeye, C-130 Hercules and P-8 Poseidon. The use of T-44C planes will be discontinued six months after the first T-54A aircraft is delivered.
The initial contract is worth $113.1 million and includes the purchase of 10 aircraft. The overall value of the contract, including options, is estimated to be $677.2 million for the acquisition of up to 64 aircraft. The contract also includes the provision of support equipment, spare parts, and initial training. The delivery of the aircraft is expected to take place between 2024 and 2026.
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