VEVAK
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Great, but you know this thread is about the USAF's T-X program right? So what's Iran's buying power got to do with the discussion.
I'm sure the US is very interested in both and will give them equal time in its T-X competition.
...
Anyway back on topic; the US isn't keen on foreign aircraft so I'd discount the M346 from the start unless a domestic production line is negotiated.
Not sure the US wants to be flying the same aircraft as Russia either. Not for any technical or logistics reasons as they'll negotiate for domestic production, but it causes "visibility" concerns. It just looks bad to be using the same systems as your geopolitical rivals.
NG's M400 is looking nice and they do have an established record of producing trainers for the US with the T-38.
NG's got a full plate at the moment with the B-21 and MQ-25.
The T-50 is great, but again, Lockheed's a little busy at the moment.
Boeing is a major subcontractor on the F-35 program, but its fighter lines are largely empty and it could use a big ticket item (apart from aircraft sales to Iran).
Scorpion has garnered zero interest from the USAF. Not as a trainer or COIN platform (rather they're using a modernized OV-10 Bronco), not as anything. Stick to ground systems Textron.
I've worked with US contractors before and on US contracts, there's a sense of predictability surrounding the awarding of contracts that has to do with keeping people employed. Not saying Boeing is in a good position because there are a lot of quality choices, just that there's a precedent for these types of things happening.
It would be, though I doubt the US has much interest in copying Russian designs.
For what it's worth, I get a BD-10 vibe from the Boeing-SAAB admission
I think the Talon is just fine for an advanced supersonic trainer U.S. has been producing them since the 60's... It's a low maintenance aircraft with 2 small and simple engines it makes no sense to spend the money on the production costs of a new trainer when you can easily have Northrop upgrade it's system to whatever specs you want at a fraction of the price.
This is not for the U.S.! They'll probably try to partner up with countries like Japan or South Korea
I think what the U.S. is missing is a good subsonic fighter jet trainer like the BEA HAWK and if they don't mind spending that much money they should invest in Textron's Scorpion instead....