The US Air Force is drawing up a draft request for proposals for a $700 million upgrade of the Northrop T-38C's propulsion system and structure. This is in addition to ongoing avionics modernisation work designed to extend the trainer's life to 2040.
Following the recent approval of an acquisition strategy to make further improvements, a contract is to be awarded by the end of this year. "The engine modernisation will follow on to the avionics upgrade programme [AUP]," says Kathy Cliett, USAF T-38C development systems manager.
Initial testing of the propulsion upgrade will start next year, with a full-rate production decision in early 2002. The upgrade of 509 T-38s will extend to fiscal year 2010 and focus on improving the General Electric J85-5 turbojets' maintainability and reliability.
Changes will include an upgrade of the engine's compressor, a new ejector nozzle, redesigning the intake and reinforcing the structure. The upgrade supplements the $700 million AUP and other structural improvements, including the Dash 33 wing, which will double the fatigue life to 8,600h.
A second $9.4 million low rate initial production contract has been awarded for 11 AUP kits, an operational flight trainer and mission planning system, to be delivered by August next year. The first of 12 upgrades this fiscal year starts in June and ends in November.
Cliett says plans call for an AUP full rate production go-ahead in September.
Source: Flight International
