Aerospace firm joins the competitive race to replace the Navy’s aging T-45 Goshawk with a twin-engine jet boasting lower operating costs and open architecture.
Freedom Trainer: A New Contender Emerges
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has officially entered the competition for the Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program, revealing its „Freedom Trainer” – a twin-engine, two-seat aircraft designed to replace the service’s aging T-45 Goshawk. Drawing from a design SNC originally developed with Turkish Aerospace Industries, the Freedom Trainer aims to improve training performance while reducing costs.
Lower Operating Costs and Extended Airframe Life
According to SNC, the Freedom Trainer boasts an airframe life of 16,000 hours, eliminating the need for costly life extension programs. The company also claims that its engine-related expenses are 40 percent lower than current Navy trainers and half that of land-based trainers, thanks to a design harmonized around the Williams International FJ44 powerplant. Derek Hess, SNC vice president of business development, emphasized the company’s commitment to improving training quality while lowering costs.
Manufacturing and Industrial Base Capacity
While SNC is primarily known for aircraft conversion work, the company assures it has the capacity to manufacture the Freedom Trainer if selected. As the prime contractor, SNC will be responsible for every aspect of the aircraft’s production and has the ability to expand the US industrial base to support the program.
Competitive Landscape
The UJTS program is expected to attract bids from industry giants such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Textron, as well as a smaller firm called Stavatti.
Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) Capabilities
The Freedom Trainer will offer field carrier landing practice (FCLP) to touchdown, allowing pilots to simulate carrier landings on an airfield runway. This capability entails mimicking the hard landings and angled approaches required to grab an arresting cable on a real aircraft carrier. However, a recent Navy request for information (RFI) suggests the service may be backing away from the FCLP-to-touchdown requirement, potentially allowing competitors to offer FCLP up to a simulated wave-off. (The Navy has clarified it only requires FCLP up to wave off.) Despite this, SNC claims the Freedom Trainer is capable of carrier touch-and-gos on a ship itself.
Data Rights and Open Systems Architecture
SNC is also highlighting its willingness to provide the Navy with full data rights for the Freedom Trainer, a feature that is often a point of contention in defense contracts. Additionally, the aircraft’s open systems architecture will enable seamless integration with partners like Red 6, facilitating the use of augmented reality training systems such as the Airborne Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS).
Augmented Reality Training
By partnering with Red 6, SNC aims to integrate ATARS into the Freedom Trainer from the start. ATARS projects images of threats, such as enemy aircraft, onto a pilot’s visor, allowing them to train against adversaries without requiring another aircraft or pilot to act as the enemy.
Freedom Family of Systems
SNC is proposing a comprehensive „Freedom Family of Systems” that includes the jet itself, a ground-based training system, an integrated logistics system, and infrastructure to connect these elements.
Listening to the Navy
SNC emphasizes its commitment to listening to the Navy’s needs and ensuring a fair and open competition, valuing the contributions it can bring to the program.
