February 1, 2017 Northrop Grumman and its partner BAE Systems announced that they will not be submitting a proposal for the US Air Force T-X competition to replace the aging T-38 jet trainer aircraft. Northrop was the original equipment manufacturer of the T-38 Talon.

Northrop Grumman and its principal teammate BAE Systems have carefully examined the U.S. Air Force’s T-X Trainer requirements and acquisition strategy as stated in the final request for proposals issued on Dec. 30, 2016.

The companies have decided not to submit a proposal for the T-X Trainer program, as it would not be in the best interest of the companies and their shareholders.

Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems remain fully committed to performing on current and future U.S. Air Force programs, to deliver critical capabilities to America’s airmen. – Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman, with BAE had initially planned to submit the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) as its T-X platform but had recently changed to propose a brand new design.

Northrop Grumman is the second company to drop out of the competition since the Air Force released the official RFP back in January of this year. Last week Raytheon and Leonardo announced they decided to withdraw their T-100 trainer aircraft from the T-X program competition. This leaves Boeing and Lockheed Martin as the main competitors in the competition.

Featured image view of an USAF T-38 Talon aircraft from 560th Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, TX, taken from the 3rd aircraft in echelon formation as lead aircraft banks to the left by US Air Force