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Aircraft

Stavatti throws Javelin jet trainer into USAF T-X competition

By David Szondy
February 05, 2017
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The Stavatti Javelin is the latest entry in the T-X competition
Stavatti Aerospace
Assembly model of the Stavatti javelin
Stavatti Aerospace
The Stavatti Javelin is the latest entry in the T-X competition
Stavatti Aerospace

Stavatti Aerospace has thrown its hat – or Javelin – into the ring to replace the US Air Force's jet trainer fleet. Coming in the wake of two major contestants withdrawing from the USAF Advanced Pilot Training Program (T-X) competition, the Javelin's entry shows that the contest to succeed the Air Force's fleet of 400 T-38 aircraft that have been in service for over half a century is still very much open.

According to Stavatti, the twin-engine, two-seater Javelin began life in 1998 as the Javelin Mk-30 – a two-seat civil jet sport plane developed by the Aviation Technology Group (ATG) starting in 1998. Despite drawing orders for 151 aircraft and a 2004 partnership with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) to develop a military version, the Javelin Mk-30 only reached the prototype phase before the company declared bankruptcy in 2008.

On November 14, 2016, Minnesota-based Stavatti was awarded a license to develop, prototype, certify, manufacture, sell, and support the Javelin. The company then began redesign work before announcing its entry into the T-X competition.

Like most jet trainers, the Javelin is a small two-seater, but unlike its civilian predecessor it includes a number of structural improvements to allow the airframe to pull nine Gs as well as handling more powerful engines and greater fuel capacity and payload.

Assembly model of the Stavatti javelin
Stavatti Aerospace

The Javelin's maximum speed is Mach 1.36 (1.035 mph, 1,666 km/h) and the company says in addition to serving as a high performance military jet trainer, the aircraft will be available for sale to allied air forces as a Very Light Fighter (VLF) aircraft.

Stavatti says that is looking for a larger prime contractor as a partner to help with the manufacture, training, and contractor logistical support for the aircraft. Meanwhile, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon have both withdrawn from the T-X competition in recent weeks, leaving the field to Stavatti, Lockheed Martin, Alenia Aermacchi, Textron AirLand, and Sierra Nevada Corporation.

Source: Stavatti Aerospace

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David Szondy
David Szondy is a playwright, author and journalist based in Seattle, Washington. A retired field archaeologist and university lecturer, he has a background in the history of science, technology, and medicine with a particular emphasis on aerospace, military, and cybernetic subjects. In addition, he is the author of four award-winning plays, a novel, reviews, and a plethora of scholarly works ranging from industrial archaeology to law. David has worked as a feature writer for many international magazines and has been a feature writer for New Atlas since 2011.
4 comments
C Jtalle
This may not be a real company.
Just who gave them a license to build and where are the airplanes they've been building?
Stephen N Russell
Now add arrestor hook, foldable wings & stronger airframe for Navy carrier training aside for the Air Force. Make some for Civil Use for fee rides or mock Combat, Looks like good replacement for T38
MSGTUSMC
A company for T-X competition needs proven production scale capability and simulator availability. A strong life-cycle aircraft support structure also required. This Boeing/Saab win to loose.
rude.dawg
Wouldn't it be more cost-effective just to continue producing more twin-seat F-16Bs or Ds for pilot training purposes? Won't F-16B or D trainers be more easily converted for front-line service, in case they are actually needed in combat?
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