Design and Development
The T-1A Jayhawk is a medium-range, twin-engine jet trainer used in the advanced phase of USAF Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training for students selected to fly strategic/tactical airlift or tanker aircraft. It is used also for training Air Force Combat Systems Officers in high and low level flight procedures during the advanced phase of training. It replaced the T-39 Sabreliner in the Intermediate phase of NFO training until the joint Air-Force-Navy/USMC training pipeline split in 2010 and now remains solely in operation with the Air Force, leaving the Navy with the antiquated Sabreliners. The T-1 Jayhawk shares the same letter and number as the now retired T-1 SeaStar under the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system.
The swept-wing T-1A is a military version of the Beechjet/Hawker 400A. It has cockpit seating for an instructor and two students and is powered by twin turbofan engines capable of an operating speed of Mach .78. The T-1A differs from its commercial counterpart with structural enhancements that provide for a large number of landings per flight hour, increased bird strike resistance and an additional fuselage fuel tank. A total of 180 T-1 trainers were delivered between 1992-1997.
The first T-1A was delivered to Reese Air Force Base, Texas, in January 1992, and student training began in 1993.
Another military variant is the Japan Air Self-Defense Force T-400 (400T) trainer, which shares the same type certificate as the T-1A.
Read more about this topic: Raytheon T-1 Jayhawk
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