Leading global aerospace and defense manufacturer Boeing has completed its first digital splice of the new T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet at its St. Louis, Missouri, facility.
The front fuselage of the first T-7A Red Hawk was joined perfectly with its aft section in less than 30 minutes. Using model-based engineering and 3D design, this digital splice was completed in 95% less time than traditional splices.
A splice is a joint in an aircraft where two separate pieces of the fuselage are brought together and connected into one aircraft. The new evolution of digitally designed, engineered and manufactured aircraft increases the production quality and reduces assembly time, allowing Boeing to bring this advanced trainer to future pilots sooner than ever before.
The T-7A is an all-new training system purpose-built specifically for the Air Force’s mission, giving the U.S. Air Force a flexible design that can adapt as technologies and training needs change. The new aircraft is being produced in Missouri, along with the F/A-18, EA-18, F-15, MQ-25 unmanned refueler, and a large amount of munitions.