HERNDON, Va. — Huntsville-based Pinnacle Solutions has been awarded a $369 million contract for the Air Force’s T-7A training program, the company announced today.
Pinnacle Solutions is a subsidiary of Akima, a provider of mission-focused solutions to the federal government. Akima recently opened a 35,000-square foot office in Huntsville.
Under the contract, Pinnacle Solutions will design, develop, and deliver the T-7A Maintenance Training System, a critical component of the Air Force’s next-generation training platform.
The delivery order has a total value of $369 million and a 7.5-year period of performance, if all options are exercised.
As the prime contractor, Pinnacle will develop and deploy a comprehensive, scalable, and technology-enabled training solution — integrating advanced training devices, smart classrooms, interactive multimedia instruction, sustainment engineering, and logistics support, according to a news release.
Pinnacle said its VXT Core virtual training framework will serve as the backbone of the T-7A MTS.
Leveraging high-fidelity platform and weapon system models, virtual and augmented reality interfaces, and haptic feedback devices, VXT Core delivers deeply immersive, training experiences accessible across a wide range of devices, the news release said. The system is designed to ensure long-term training effectiveness and operational readiness.
“This win highlights Akima’s ability to deliver sophisticated training and logistics capabilities at scale to meet the evolving mission needs of the U.S. Air Force,” said Scott Rauer, president of Akima’s Facilities Solutions Group. “Pinnacle’s deep expertise in immersive, mission-ready training ensures maintainers are equipped to support the T-7A with confidence.”
According to the news release, the maintenance training system will prepare maintainers for the next-generation T-7A Red Hawk aircraft, which is replacing the aging T-38C Talon fleet.
In partnership with Aero Simulation; LSI; Textron Systems; and Janus Research Group, Pinnacle will leverage a mature development ecosystem to accelerate production and sustainment of a high-fidelity, extensible training system, the news release said.
Led by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the initial three years of the program will be focused on system development in Huntsville. Pinnacle will deliver training systems to a Central Training Facility at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, and to four Unit Maintenance Training Facilities across Texas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, according to the news release.
Once deployed, Pinnacle will provide ongoing contractor logistics support and operate the Training System Support Center to ensure long-term readiness.
Pinnacle is a solution-focused company providing advanced simulation and training solutions; flight operations and training services; training content development in virtual reality, augmented reality, and web-based systems; aircraft maintenance; and technical publications development and sustainment to a wide variety of customers, including all Department of Defense components, Special Operations Forces, international militaries, and educational institutions.
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