Lockheed Martin Says It Filed First T-50A Upgraded Aircraft

Lockheed Martin Corp

said that it completed the initial flight test of its T-50A configured aircraft successfully. According to the company, the T-50A was its aircraft offering Advanced Pilot Training competition for the United States' Air Force. Lockheed Martin's T-50A Lead Test Pilot, Mark Ward, said, "The aircraft in its new configuration with the 5th Gen cockpit and other upgrades performed flawlessly. I have no doubt this aircraft will close the gap which currently exists between the trainer fleet and 5thGeneration fighters." The company said that the T-50A was a low risk and ready now. It was built on the proven heritage of the T-50 with over 100 T-50s flying currently —100,000 flight hours and counting—and over 1,000 pilots. Lockheed Martin said that the T-50A was the only current offering meeting all APT requirements and could deliver those capabilities on schedule at the lowest risk to the customer. The company added that its teams studied clean-sheet alternatives and determined they pose prohibitive risk to APT cost and schedule requirements. The T-50A delivers the performance, as well as, capabilities required to prepare pilots to fly, fight and win with 5th Generation fighter aircraft. The company indicated that the T-50A was developed jointly by with Korea Aerospace Industries. The accompanying T-50A Ground-Based Training System featured innovative technologies delivering an immersive, synchronized ground-based training platform. Shares of the company traded 0.21 percent down on Thursday.