Textron Systems Corporation has been awarded a Purchase Order valued at up to $62 million to support the United States Air Force’s T-7A Advanced Pilot Training (APT) Program Maintenance Training System (MTS), marking a significant step in the modernization of U.S. Air Force defense training infrastructure.
The award was issued by Pinnacle Solutions, an Akima company, and includes a three-year base period valued at $41 million, with options worth up to $21 million for the delivery of additional training devices. The contract strengthens Textron Systems’ position as a key provider of advanced defense training and simulation solutions for next-generation U.S. military aircraft.
Expanding the T-7A Defense Training Ecosystem
Under the terms of the agreement, Textron Systems will design, develop, and produce the common fuselage structure used across three maintenance trainers, in addition to delivering the Mid-Integrated System Maintenance Trainer (ISMT) and the AFT ISMT in their entirety. The contract options, if exercised, include the production of additional training units, expanding the scope of the program over time.
The T-7A Maintenance Training System is designed to equip U.S. Air Force maintainers with the foundational skills required to support the T-7A aircraft and its associated subsystems. As the Air Force introduces the digitally engineered T-7A into service, advanced maintenance training is considered essential to achieving sustained readiness, operational availability, and long-term fleet efficiency.
Integrated System Maintenance Trainers and Operational Impact
A central component of the program is the deployment of Integrated System Maintenance Trainers, which are purpose-built to provide maintainers with a high-fidelity, simulated training environment. These systems enable personnel to train on aircraft systems without relying on operational airframes, significantly reducing costs while improving training throughput.
The MID-ISMT and AFT-ISMT will support training across multiple aircraft systems, allowing maintainers to perform and rehearse removal and installation tasks, visual inspections, fault diagnosis, and procedural verification. These capabilities are intended to mirror real-world maintenance conditions, ensuring that maintainers are fully prepared to support operational squadrons upon assignment.
By incorporating simulation-based training early in the maintainer pipeline, the U.S. Air Force aims to improve skill retention, reduce maintenance errors, and enhance overall defense readiness as the T-7A program progresses.
Leveraging Textron Systems’ Defense Training Expertise
Textron Systems brings decades of experience in defense training, simulation, and mission-support systems to the program. The company has delivered advanced training solutions across air, land, and maritime domains, with a strong emphasis on integrated systems that combine physical training devices, digital simulation, and instructional design.
“Textron Systems brings decades of proven expertise in advanced maintenance training systems to effectively equip the U.S. Air Force with the skills and essential capabilities needed to maintain the T-7A and its associated subsystems,” said Steve Mensh, Senior Vice President of Electronic Systems at Textron Systems. “This effort reflects our continued focus on training excellence and mission readiness in support of the U.S. Air Force.”
His remarks highlight the strategic importance of maintenance training as a core pillar of defense modernization, rather than a secondary support function.
Production at Goose Creek, South Carolina
All work under the contract will be carried out at Textron Systems’ Goose Creek, South Carolina, facility, which specializes in military simulation, mission training, and maintenance training systems. The facility supports a range of U.S. defense programs and plays a critical role in preparing aircrews and maintainers for fighter, transport, and bomber aircraft.
The Goose Creek site focuses on delivering foundational maintainer skills and core competencies, enabling personnel to transition efficiently into operational units. Its role in the T-7A Maintenance Training System further reinforces its importance within the U.S. defense industrial base.
Business Profile: Textron Systems Corporation
Textron Systems Corporation is a major U.S. defense contractor providing mission-critical systems, defense training solutions, unmanned platforms, precision strike capabilities, and electronic systems to domestic and international customers. Operating across multiple defense domains, the company supports the U.S. military and allied nations with technologies designed to enhance operational effectiveness and readiness.
Within the defense training sector, Textron Systems has built a strong reputation for delivering high-fidelity simulation and maintenance training systems that align with evolving military requirements. Its portfolio reflects the growing emphasis placed by defense planners on synthetic training environments, lifecycle sustainment, and cost-effective readiness solutions.
Strategic Context and Defense Market Implications
The award comes amid sustained investment by the U.S. Department of Defense in training modernization, particularly as next-generation aircraft and digitally engineered platforms enter service. Defense analysts increasingly view training and simulation as strategic enablers, directly influencing operational availability and long-term force readiness.
The T-7A program represents a departure from legacy training models, integrating digital engineering, open architectures, and advanced training systems from the outset. Maintenance training systems such as the ISMTs are a critical element of this approach, ensuring that sustainment capabilities evolve alongside aircraft technology.
For Textron Systems, the contract provides both near-term revenue visibility and a long-term strategic position within one of the U.S. Air Force’s most significant modernization efforts. The inclusion of contract options further suggests potential for program expansion as the T-7A fleet grows.
Outlook
As the U.S. Air Force advances toward full operational deployment of the T-7A, the effectiveness of its maintenance training infrastructure will play a decisive role in determining long-term program success. By securing a central role in the T-7A defense maintenance training system, Textron Systems has reinforced its standing as a trusted partner in U.S. defense training and readiness.
With a potential value of up to $62 million, the contract underscores the increasing importance of advanced defense training systems in modern airpower, positioning Textron Systems at the forefront of this evolving segment of the defense industry.
