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SNC has dropped out of the competition to build the U.S. Navy’s next jet trainer, leaving the team of Textron Aviation and Leonardo as the only known remaining competitors.
SNC in a statement to Aviation Week on Nov. 3 that it declined to bid on the program under its contract structure.
“We do remain committed to naval jet training and stand ready to reengage if the approach is revisited,” SNC said.
Textron Aviation confirmed in a statement Nov. 3 that it remains committed to the program and responded to the request for proposals (RFP), which had a deadline of Oct. 30.
“We stand ready to support the U.S. Navy and its future training needs,” a Textron spokesperson said in a statement.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin had previously dropped out of the competition. Naval Air Systems Command did not respond to a request for comment about the status of the solicitation.
The UJTS competition has repeatedly been pushed back and the Navy has increased the overall cost target for its effort to $2.7 billion. But the cost structure has raised concerns as the Navy has detailed an initial award cost of $52.8 million in fiscal 2027 and $181 million for fiscal 2028.
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