Future flight deck of T-1A trainer aircraft. Credit: Field Aviation.

The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded a $155.7m contract to Field Aerospace for the upgrade and modernisation of the avionics on its entire T-1A Jayhawk trainer fleet.

Under the terms of the deal, the company will work in collaboration with its subcontractors, Nextant Aerospace, Rockwell Collins and FlightSafety International, in order to deliver an avionics modification programme, including all development, certification, equipment, installation and training.

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The scope of the project will cover the upgrade of the USAF’s 178 T-1A aircraft, in addition to the development of 30 training devices, which include 16 operational flight trainers and 14 part-task trainers.

The first prototypes are expected to be delivered to the airforce within the next year.

Field Aerospace Oklahoma City vice-president and general manager John Taylor said: “The T-1A contract is a significant win for Field Aerospace and our subcontractors.

“We look forward to working with our team members to modernise the avionics in the USAF’s trainer fleet and expand the capability of their aircraft.”

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As part of the contract, Rockwell Collins will be responsible for supplying its Pro Line 21 avionics suite to be integrated on to the T-1A aircraft.

“We look forward to working with our team members to modernise the avionics in the USAF’s trainer fleet and expand the capability of their aircraft.”

The company will also support software and A-kit development, provide the B-kits (LRUs), and help in the simulator updates and certification.

Nextant Aerospace will help support the design integration of the modernisation project while delivering the A-kits and completing the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC).

FlightSafety International will also be responsible for upgrading the simulators and training devices at four of the USAF’s airforce bases and in one naval station.

Expected to be completed in 2025, work on the project will be carried out at Field Aerospace’s facility in Oklahoma City, US.

The T-1A Jayhawk trainer aircraft is a commercial derivative of the Beechjet / Hawker 400A, which is used to train future pilots of the USAF’s airlift and tanker aircraft such as the KC-135, KC-10, KC-46 and C-130.