Eclipse Preps Bid for USAF Trainer Contract

Stephen Pope

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 at 11:16 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Eclipse Aerospace has proposed its Eclipse 550 Very Light Jet to the U.S. Air Force for a new fleet of basic trainers.
The Air Force is looking to replace its 20-year-old T-1 Jayhawk fleet with a more efficient and affordable solution to reduce maintenance and fuel costs.
Eclipse claims its VLJ could save the Air Force 13 million gallons of jet fuel annually and over a billion dollars in costs over 10 years.
Securing this contract is crucial for Eclipse Aerospace's future, potentially allowing the company to re-enter full-rate production.

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Eclipse Aerospace has submitted a proposal for a U.S. Air Force request to supply a “large fleet” of very light jets (VLJ) for use as basic trainers.

The Air Force is seeking to replace its 20-year-old fleet of business jets to support its Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) Multi-Place Training Track. Cost will be a big driver in the decision, both in terms of required maintenance and fuel use.