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T-45C Replacement

7H,
I finally watched the walk-around video.

You gave up a golden opportunity to poke Boeing in the eye by pointing out that you can hang a ladder on the side. 😎

Also, I assume there an internal ladder on the jet? I apologize for even asking that... but I guess it's a valid question.
 
7H,
I finally watched the walk-around video.

You gave up a golden opportunity to poke Boeing in the eye by pointing out that you can hang a ladder on the side. 😎

Also, I assume there an internal ladder on the jet? I apologize for even asking that... but I guess it's a valid question.

Hmmm. T7 have a ladder issue I don’t know about?

As a general rule, we don’t talk about the competition in public venues- I prefer to keep the focus on what my employer has to offer. However, that doesn’t preclude pointing out where we have the advantage!

No internal ladder or footholds in the current 346 design, but there is engineering provision for one, if required.
 
The word as of a couple years ago was there is no internal ladder, and it isn't stressed to handle a hanging ladder.

On your jet, what is the plan for off-station or diversion ops? Are they going to add an internal ladder?
 
The word as of a couple years ago was there is no internal ladder, and it isn't stressed to handle a hanging ladder.

On your jet, what is the plan for off-station or diversion ops? Are they going to add an internal ladder?

Seems like an oversight, right? Turns out, you can disembark safely without a ladder. A basic stepladder works fine if an off-station man-up is required, but ground crews always bring a boarding ladder. Current customer air forces rarely- if ever- operate without ground crews (read: even more risk-averse than the USAF), so it’s not really an issue.

The USN will no doubt want steps or an internal ladder installed, which is easily doable, and permits the kind of off-station ops we’re used to.
 
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A-4's never had an internal ladder. When we went on the road, if it was carrying two external tanks, we'd step on the tail portion of the right tank, then onto the wing, then scoot along the right side standing on the external refueling probe to climb into the cockpit. If we weren't carrying dual drop tanks, it was a little more difficult, because we were forced to hop directly up onto the wing. At 6' 1" I could manage. Shorter guys had trouble. I knew a couple of guys who had to ask a lineman or re-fueler to help them up onto the wing. Occasionally, a ladder would be provided. Naval Aviators always adapt and overcome. 😎
 
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