The next generation of training for American naval aviators will cut a quintessential rite of passage that the tailhook community has honored for decades when the new undergraduate jet training system comes online. The new aircraft will not be equipped to land on an aircraft carrier, as when new pilots are granted the wings of gold that designate them as qualified naval aviators, they will not yet have performed a real-life landing on the ‘boat.’
None of the proposals that are currently being considered has any features designed for carrier operations. The final round began last month with a contract award expected sometime next spring, and in a surprising turn of events, Lockheed Martin officially withdrew its TF-50N from the competition this month. That only leaves the…
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Source simpleflying.com
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