I remember being a kid when they were talking about this program. Then a couple guys died in those super old T38s, and the air force panicked about finding a replacement since their trainers were even OLDER than the average civvie plane. They could have bought something already made, off the shelf, but they bowed to lobbying and listened to the industry when they pretended they could design a brand new thing like they did in the 60's. The T-38 had its first flight in like, 59. Then it entered service 3 years later. This T-7 POS was supposed to be in the fleet in 2013, the first time around.

Then they said "no 2020, it'll be ready".

Then a while back it became 2024.

Now, 2 weeks later they say 2027.

For like, an urgent program? Because they can't figure out the ejection system? Because it kills pilots?

Y'know, the same problem they had in like 1958? The one they solved in a year using slide rules and nicotine?

This is decline.