Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has produced 100th Wing for the United States Air Force Northrop T-38 Talon two-seat, twinjet supersonic jet trainer. IAI won a $240 million IDIQ contract to manufacture the wings for the T-38 jet trainers used by the US Air Force. IAI has been producing high-quality T-38 wings generating strong customer satisfaction since 2011 which contributed to the large award. In service with the US Air Force since the 1960s, the T-38 jet trainers required the replacement of the wings to remain operational for the next several years. IAI met the significant technological challenge seamlessly while keeping the fleet operational.
IAI was also chosen by Boeing as its prime subcontractor for the USAF T-38 Talon upgrade avionics program, in which over 450 T-38 aircraft have been upgraded. The upgrade has enabled the USAF to continue to operate the T-38 in the F-16 lead-in trainer role. The USAF program award was based on IAI’s extensive F-5 upgrade experience (from which the T-38 is derived) and “Best Value” criteria (performance, risk, and cost). The upgraded USAF T-38’s reconfigured cockpit layout and avionics systems replicate the operation of advanced fighter aircraft to enhance the effectiveness and safety of pilot training.
LAHAV Aero-Structures has years of experience supplying US Air Force (wings for the T-38 aircraft. Our extensive aerospace structures in-house expertise & heritage enable the delivering the highest aerospace standards structures while meeting IAI’s and our customer’s uncompromising schedule & quality requirements.The LAHAV Aero-Structures division serves as center of excellence of combat aircraft wings production and produces the wings for the F-35,F-16 and the T-38. The Aviation Group serves the world’s largest aerospace companies, including Lockheed Martin and Boeing, as well as major airlines such as Alitalia, WizzAir, and shipping companies.
Long established in the US for over 25 years, IAI has hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue in the US aerospace and market defense as well as a large supply chain in 44 US states. The $240M T-38 and current M&A activity are representative of IAI’s continued commitment and growth in the US. The wings will be manufactured by IAI’s LAHAV Aero-Strucrues line of business which is part of the Aviation Group in LOD, Israel. IAI’s Aviation Group was established in January 2019, as a result of IAI’s new business strategy, incorporating three out of the six groups that made up IAI at the time, and consolidating the LAHAV Division.
