$10 Billion Trainer Contract: Navy Seeks New Jet Trainers for Next Generation of Carrier Pilots

The U.S. Navy has announced its plans to replace its aging Boeing T-45C Goshawk jet trainers, which have been in service since 1991. The Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program aims to deliver 216 new aircraft by 2035, with a contract award targeted for March 2027.

The competition is fierce, with four contenders vying for the contract: the Boeing T-7B, Lockheed Martin/KAI TF-50N, Leonardo M-346N, and Sierra Nevada Corporation's Freedom. The Navy has set an engineering and manufacturing development cost cap near $1.8 billion, making it one of the most expensive military contracts in recent history.

One of the most surprising developments is that the new trainer will not land on aircraft carriers, a departure from traditional carrier training procedures. Instead, pilots will learn carrier procedures through advanced simulation and then transition directly to frontline aircraft at Fleet Replacement Squadrons for their actual carrier qualifications.