The Air Force’s new bird of prey, the T-7 Red Hawk , arrived at Eglin Air Force Base Dec. 15 to begin a series of climate testing at Eglin AFB’s McKinley Climatic Lab.
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The purpose of the testing is to verify the T-7A’s system functionality while operating in extreme environmental conditions. Among others, those conditions consist of minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 110 degrees sustained temperatures. The climatic chamber testing will evaluate the aircraft system’s performance including propulsion, hydraulic, fuel, electrical, secondary power, environmental control and overall operations. Thermal Chamber
“The Red Hawk must withstand a range of environments from sitting on the ground in the Texas heat to flying at altitude,” said Dr. Troy C. Hoeger, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s T-7A chief developmental tester. “The climatic lab helps us do this in a deliberate and methodical way and will give us confidence that our new aircraft meets requirements.”
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The relatively new T-7A only arrived at Edwards AFB , California for testing in November. It is set to be the replacement aircraft to T-38C fleet. The T-7A will drastically improve training for the next generation of fighter and bomber pilots and will better prepare student pilots to advance into fourth and fifth -generation fighter and bomber aircraft. With advanced mission systems, a glass touchscreen cockpit, stadium seating and embedded training capability the T-7A Redhawk will make a fundamental difference in future pilot training, according to Hoeger.
"The Red Hawk now joins many other Air Force aircraft tested at McKinley, from World War II to today’s 21st century planes, to ensure they will operate in real world conditions.” Hoeger said.
Base personnel gather around the T-7 Red Hawk at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 18, 2023. The Red Hawk will undergo testing inside Eglin AFB’s McKinley Climatic Lab to verify system functionality while operating in extreme environmental conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michelle Gigante) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res A civilian looks inside the T-7 Red Hawk exhaust nozzle at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 18, 2023. The aircraft arrived at Eglin AFB’s McKinley Climatic Lab for test and evaluation of the aircraft system’s performance including propulsion, hydraulic, fuel, electric, and overall operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michelle Gigante) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Lt. Col. Mary Clark, 96th Operations Group deputy commander, talks with Jeffery Hays, 416th Flight Test Squadron T-7 Red Hawk lead flight mechanic at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 18, 2023. The newest pilot trainer now joins many other Air Force aircraft tested at McKinley Climatic Lab, from World War II to today’s 21st century planes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michelle Gigante) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Base personnel gather around the T-7 Red Hawk at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 18, 2023. The Red Hawk will undergo testing inside Eglin AFB’s McKinley Climatic Lab to verify system functionality while operating in extreme environmental conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michelle Gigante)
A civilian looks inside the T-7 Red Hawk exhaust nozzle at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 18, 2023. The aircraft arrived at Eglin AFB’s McKinley Climatic Lab for test and evaluation of the aircraft system’s performance including propulsion, hydraulic, fuel, electric, and overall operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michelle Gigante)
Lt. Col. Mary Clark, 96th Operations Group deputy commander, talks with Jeffery Hays, 416th Flight Test Squadron T-7 Red Hawk lead flight mechanic at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 18, 2023. The newest pilot trainer now joins many other Air Force aircraft tested at McKinley Climatic Lab, from World War II to today’s 21st century planes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michelle Gigante)
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