The first prototype of Northrop Grumman's T-X trainer jet for the U.S. Air Force Advanced Pilot Training competition has been revealed during taxi trials at Mojave, California on Aug 19.

David Kern photo

The low risk, clean sheet design by Northrop's subsidiary Scaled Composite carries heritage of its own T-38 Talon trainer jet, which it is intended to replace.

Powered by a single GE F404 turbofan engine, the trainer has an low-wing design, with engine air inlets in wing root and a relatively large vertical tail.

The yet to be named trainer have a high visibility tandem seat cockpit with a good down view angle and the tricycle under carriage has extended wheelbase between the nose and main landing gear.

The aircraft is progressing through taxi trials and is expected to achieve first flight by year end.

Northrop has teamed with BAE Systems and L-3 Communications to offer the trainer that will train USAF pilots to fly fifth generation fighters like F-35 and F-22.

Other contender for the T-X program include the Raytheon-Leonardo offering the latter's M-346 advanced trainer jet, Saab-Boeing offering a clean sheet design and the Lockheed Martin offering a modified KAI T-50 golden eagle.

USAF says the 1961 vintage T-38 is no longer effective in pilot training for fifth generation fighters and intends to order more than 300 T-X trainers. Requirements released include minimum sustained turn rate of 6.5g, in-flight refueling capability, at least 10 percent improvement in fuel consumption than T-38 and a maximum runway length requirement of 8000 ft.