The USAF wants an initial 351 T-7A Red Hawks to replace the T-38C Talon. Boeing has begun full-rate production of the T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer aircraft at its St Louis facility, the manufacturer announced on 23 February. It described the T-7A as its first ‘eSeries’ jet to be designed, built and tested along a digital thread, ‘increasing production quality and reducing assembly time’. Red Hawk was designed and engineered using 3D model-based definition and data management systems. The aircraft was jointly developed by Boeing and Saab. The USAF has an initial requirement of 351 aircraft to replace its T-38C Talon in the advanced jet training role, and it awarded a contract in September 2018.