Boeing

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 13, 2021 – Less than 300 miles will now separate Boeing [NYSE: BA] from its T-7A teammate Saab with the opening of Saab’s new leading-edge, 100,000-square-foot production facility in West Lafayette, Indiana.

The Boeing-Saab team is producing the new advanced trainer for the U.S. Air Force, with Saab providing the aft section to Boeing’s forward fuselage. Currently the aft section is built at Saab’s factory in Linköping, Sweden, then shipped to the United States.

“I’m inspired by the Boeing-Saab team’s accomplishments with the T-7A Red Hawk – bringing together the best of digital design and production innovation to build this incredible trainer,” said Leanne Caret, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “Our modern T-7A Red Hawk production lines are enabling us to deliver the most digitally advanced, simply and efficiently produced, and intelligently supported solutions to our customers, and we’re honored to team with Saab to make this possible.”

Since the inception of T-7A, Boeing and Saab have continued to seek and evolve new program efficiencies.

“Our teams will no longer have to tackle lengthy trans-Atlantic shipping schedules,” said Steve Parker, Boeing Bombers & Fighters, vice president and general manager. “The digital characteristics of this trainer not only enables adaptive growth in future builds, but it also significantly improves quality as compared to traditional design and manufacturing methods.”

The T-7A Red Hawk went from concept to first flight in just 36 months using advanced model-based engineering and digital design techniques. The digital thread, the connection of digital information through product design, manufacturing and inspection, used throughout the program has accounted for a 75% improvement in engineering quality.

In September 2018, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $9.2 billion contract to supply 351 advanced trainer aircraft and 46 associated ground based training simulators.

For more about the T-7A Red Hawk, visit: https://www.boeing.com/defense/t-7a/index.page.

For more about Saab’s new facility, visit: https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2021/saab-celebrates-u.s.-expansion-with-opening-of-new-facility.

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity. Learn more at www.boeing.com.

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Contact:
Randy Jackson
Boeing Communications
+1 (314) 435-7588
randy.jackson@boeing.com