Boeing T-X trainer

Boeing has unveiled the new T-X trainer jet design, an all-new advanced pilot training system designed specifically for the U.S. Air Force training missions.

The T-X trainer has twin canted vertical tails similar to the F-22, F-35 and F/A-18.  To keep costs down the aircraft features a single engine with stadium seating.  The trainer has an advanced cockpit with embedded training.  The system also includes state-of-the-art ground-based training and a maintenance-friendly design for long-term supportability.

The Air Force needs a replacement for its T-38 Talon trainer aircraft which were first produced by Northrop in 1959.

Boeing has already built two and is ready to build more for the Air Force training program. The Air Force hopes to buy 350 new trainer jets with initial operating capability planned for 2024.

Photos courtesy of Boeing

Bell AH-1Z Viper

The Bell AH-1Z Viper is an updated attack helicopter based on the AH-1W Super Cobra and has been developed for the United States Marine Corps.  The two-blade semi-rigid of the Super Cobra has been replaced with a four-blade, hinge-less, bearing-less rotor system.  The new four-blade configuration improves flight characteristics including maximum speed, vertical rate-of-climb, payload and reduced rotor vibration level.

The two redesigned wings are longer and each adds a wing-tip mount for a missile such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Each wing can also carry Hydra 70 rocket pods, or AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, with up to 16 missiles mounted in four 4-round M272 missile launchers, two on each wing.

The Viper has a cruising speed of 184 mph (296 km/h) and a top speed of 255 mph (411 km/h) in a dive.  The 20 mm M197 3-barreled Gatling gun in the turret has a 750 round ammo capacity.