Sierra Nevada Corporation has unveiled the Freedom Trainer, a new jet contender for the US Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program to replace the aging T-45 Goshawk fleet. The Navy expects to procure over 200 trainers by 2030, with contracts starting 2027. Unlike rival derivative designs, Freedom is the only clean-sheet aircraft, optimized for naval training with carrier landing and Field Carrier Landing Practice capabilities. Its 16,000-hour airframe and rugged landing gear make it durable for intensive training. By offering advanced features at lower cost, SNC positions Freedom as a unique solution to shape the next generation of naval aviators.
