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 (VLJ) to the U.S. Air Force to replace its aging T-1 Jayhawk basic training fleet.
The Air Force is seeking an efficient and affordable solution, prioritizing significant reductions in maintenance and fuel costs.
Eclipse claims its VLJ could save the Air Force 13 million gallons of jet fuel annually and a billion dollars over 10 years.
Securing this contract is vital for Eclipse Aerospace's future, helping it re-enter full-rate production after its previous bankruptcy.

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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.