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Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS)

The McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk is the current airframe used by the Navy as its aircraft carrier-capable jet trainer. First introduced in 1988, the T-45 received a glass cockpit upgrade and other modernizations for continued use as a contemporary jet. The T-45C Goshawk will be the single advanced strike trainer for tailhook pilots and naval flight officers as the T-39G/N Sabreliner is retired and the T-45A aircraft is retrofitted to the T-45C configuration. The required avionics modernization program will digitize all T-45A cockpits. The virtual mission training system program will integrate a virtual multimode radar capability into the T-45C to enable basic tactical skills training that will provide a new capability to prepare students for the advanced tactical jet aircraft of the future.

As of 2010, it was planned that by 2032 the T-45 Replacement will replace the T-45 Goshawk. As of December 2017, the plan was for the T-45 replacement to start flying students in 2035, with the T-45 withdrawn from service in 2040. In order to extend the service life, the T-45 aircraft underwent a service life extension program (SLEP) in FY 2019. A SLEP is a modification to extend the service life of an aircraft beyond what was planned. The Navy would exceed the T-45 planned service life. The program office planned a service life of 14,400 flight hours and expected to fly the T-45 until 2018. However, in 2013, the Navy decided to extend the service life to 19,800 flight hours, keeping the T-45 in service until 2042 when the Navy expected the replacement aircraft to be operational. Up to 24 aircraft per year were to undergo the SLEP from FY 2019 through FY 2027.

According to a program official, as of 2019 the Navy would start considering T-45 replacement options in 2022 or 2023. The Navy planned to phase out the T-45 beginning in 2035. In order to prevent a shortage of available T-45 training aircraft, the replacement aircraft must achieve initial operating capabilities in 2035 and be operational in 2042.

PMA273 anticipated a solicitation to be released in Q3FY26 with a contract award in Q2FY28. This is according to the 26 June 2024 Request for Information (RFI), Serial Number 24-0015/UJTS, a continuation of on-going market research conducted in support of the Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program. Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) Senior Leadership was still carefully considering whether the UJTS air vehicle will need to conduct Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) to touchdown. Request for Information (RFI), Serial Number 20-0001/UJTS, is a continuation of on-going market research conducted in support of the Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program. The service wants a nondevelopmental, land-based jet trainer capable of field carrier landing practice and nuclear aircraft carrier touch-and-go landings by 2028. The service does not plan to conduct arrested landings or catapult launches from aircraft carriers using the new jet trainer, unlike the current T-45, which conducts carrier landings and launches. Two features associated with this requirement are a tail hook and a stronger structure supporting the landing gears to accommodate carrier landings.

Likely competitors include the Boeing-Saab T-7A, sekected for the US Air Force’s T-X competition; Lockheed Martin’s T-50A, based on the FA-50 light-attack/trainer developed with Korea Aerospace Industries; and Leonardo’s T-100, based on the company’s M-346. Cirium fleets data shows that the navy currently operates a 194-strong Goshawk inventory.

The May 2020 RFI focused on the suitability of an existing land-based jet trainer aircraft design (i.e. nondevelopmental, as defined under FAR 2.101) to satisfy certain requirements under consideration for the next generation US Navy undergraduate jet trainer aircraft. The subject of this RFI, is the capability of a nondevelopmental aircraft to perform Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) events and Carrier touch-and-go events, and the corresponding effects of these high sink rate landings.

For further background, reference should be made to the market survey posting under N6134018R0066, dated 21 May 2018. This posting, dated 14 May 2020, includes the Request for Information, Appendix A and Appendix B, as well as referenced Chief of Naval Air Training instructions. In accordance with the policy in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 12.101, NAVAIR is seeking industry feedback to determine the extent to which nondevelopmental items are available that could meet the Government’s requirements. The information provided in response to this RFI will be used to assess the current state of technology and inform whether the candidate system(s) can satisfy the capability requirements to perform missions in support of Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) T-45 Combined Multi-Service Pilot Training System (i.e., CNATRAINST 1542.167B) and the Advanced Strike Fighter Undergraduate Military Flight Officer Training System syllabi (i.e., CNATRAINST 1542.164A). The responses will also assist in the requirements generation process, development of the acquisition strategy, and budgetary submission.

Estimated aircraft utilization is 400 flight hours per aircraft per year. FCLPs occur at the rate of 1200 per aircraft per year. Carrier touch-and-go events occur at the rate of 45 events per aircraft per year. All usage other than landings events may remain as per design usage. Service life shall be evaluated against standard USN fatigue criteria of calculated operational time to a point where a 0.01 inch crack is assumed to have developed with a scatter factor of 3.0 applied.