A $155.7 million contract with the U.S. Air Force has Field Aerospace working on flight deck modernization of 178 T-1A (Beechjet 400A) trainers and 30 training devices. Technicians began working on the first one last month after it arrived at Field’s facility in Oklahoma City. Upgrades on the aircraft are being performed to address obsolescence issues and ensure compliance with the FAA’s ADS-B Out mandate. The entire fleet and training devices will be upgraded to a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 system.

Field is working with subcontractors—including Nextant Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, HEBCO, and FlightSafety International—to complete the avionics modification program. So far, the program has completed USAF review and approval of the commercial-off-the-shelf avionics solution, induction of the first aircraft, and removals necessary to prepare the trainer for installation.

Increased bird-strike resistance and an additional fuselage fuel tank differentiate the T-1A from the civil Beechjet 400A. The USAF trainer is used for airlift and tanker students in the advanced phase of specialized training. T-1As are currently used to train students at Columbus, Laughlin, and Vance Air Force Bases (AFB). Instructor pilots are trained in T-1As at Randolph AFB and the trainers are used for combat systems officer training at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida.