Training System Aircraft

The Training System Aircraft (PE 0603208N) program element supports the Navy's research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities focused on modernizing and sustaining the fleet of training aircraft and associated systems used for undergraduate flight training. The overarching goal of this program is to ensure that the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) has access to reliable, safe, and modernized training platforms to produce qualified naval aviators who are ready to meet evolving fleet requirements. This program encompasses design, integration, and testing of improvements for multiple aircraft platforms, including the T-45, T-6, T-44, TH-57, TH-73A, T-54, and the development of the T-45 Follow-On Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS).

Training Aircraft Updates (Project 3367) is the largest component of this program element, with objectives to develop, integrate, and test pre- and post-production improvements across the Navy's training aircraft fleet. Key goals include enhancing reliability, maintainability, and safety through engineering change proposals such as avionics modernization, corrosion prevention, and obsolescence mitigation. The project also funds Retrofit Integration Testing for the T-45 and supports ongoing studies to address safety concerns like Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard. These efforts are intended to reduce operating costs, increase aircraft availability, and ensure training platforms remain aligned with current and future fleet requirements.

A major focus within Training Aircraft Updates is the T-45 Follow-On: Undergraduate Jet Training System initiative. The T-45 system is facing significant obsolescence and sustainment challenges, which are projected to impact operational costs and availability by 2030. The UJTS effort is tasked with conducting market research, developing requirements and curricula, evaluating acquisition strategies, and testing new training technologies and prototypes. The objective is to replace the aging T-45 system with a modern solution that provides higher availability, reduced costs, and training capabilities that more closely match the operational aircraft graduates will fly in the fleet. In FY 2026, the program is transitioning from studies to the release of a Request for Proposal, marking a shift toward competitive procurement.

Another significant initiative under this program is the T-6B Avionics Modernization project, which begins in FY 2026. This new start aims to address avionics obsolescence, safety, and operational limitations in the T-6B training aircraft. Planned objectives include the development and procurement of integrated solutions for Terrain Collision Avoidance, Precision Landing, and an ADS-B In weather and traffic advisory system. These upgrades are necessary to meet future CNATRA operational requirements and ensure the continued effectiveness and safety of the T-6B fleet.

The Physiological Episodes line item is dedicated to mitigating physiological risks associated with the T-45 and T-6 training aircraft. This includes research, development, and testing of platform improvements to reduce the incidence of physiological episodes such as hypoxia. For the T-45, efforts focus on studying breathing resistance under varying oxygen conditions and implementing engineering solutions to improve aircrew safety. For the T-6, the Navy collaborates with the Air Force to test and evaluate new On-Board Oxygen Generation System concentrators, Automatic Backup Oxygen Systems, and integrated sensor packages. These efforts are intended to enhance aircrew safety and ensure training environments are as risk-free as possible.

Across all projects, the Training System Aircraft program element emphasizes system development and demonstration activities prior to full-rate production decisions. Funding supports both government and contractor engineering, program management, and test activities at locations such as NAWCAD Patuxent River, NAWCTSD Orlando, and other partner organizations. The program's acquisition strategies are tailored to the scale and urgency of each effort, with some initiatives proceeding under abbreviated acquisition categories to promote efficiency and timely fielding of improvements.