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Boeing, Saab introduce entry for T-X trainer program

This post is appearing on Autoblog Military, Autoblog's sub-site dedicated to the vehicles, aircraft, and ships of the world's armed forces. Boeing and Saab revealed their entry for the US military's T-X trainer replacement program. The new jet, simply called T-X, is like the lovechild of a F/A-18 Hornet and an F-16 Falcon, and as Boeing tells it, will provide "performance, affordability, and maintainability advantages" over the competition. "Our T-X is real, ready and the right choice for training pilots for generations to come," Leanne Caret, Boeing Defense, Space, and Security's President and CEO said in an official statement. And Caret isn't not kidding about the Boeing T-X being both real and ready – Boeing is so confident that it built two examples before the official unveiling on Tuesday. The first jet, which Defense News reports will fly by the end of the year, debuted to media with the kind of pomp usually reserved for automotive debuts. Boeing/Saab will use the second jet – also featured on Tuesday – for structural proof testing. The needs of a training aircraft are quite different than those of a traditional fighter. The T-X features stadium-style seating, so the instructor riding in back has nearly as good a view as the student in front. Student evaluations should be easy, too, as the open software transmits data effortlessly between ground training systems and the jet itself. Functionally, Boeing claims the twin-tail layout provides more agility than a single-tail design – remember, the military's newest jets, the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II both use twin-tail layouts – while the Air Force can mount two weapon hard points on the jet's wings. According to Defense News, four manufacturers – Boeing/Saab, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin/KAI, and Raytheon/Leonardo/CAE – are vying for the contract to build 350 new trainers to replace the Air Force's fleet of aging T-38 Talons. Featured Gallery Boeing/Saab T-X Entry News Source: Boeing, Defense NewsImage Credit: Boeing Saab Military

Son Surprises Mom With Dream Car

We can't get enough of these dream car-reveals. Here's the latest one: A son wanted to treat his mom to the car she's had her eye on for years, but it wasn't a restored Porsche or a fancy 1957 Chevy Bel Air. This mom wanted something special – a 1973 Saab 99 EMS painted disco-fever copper. Ever since he was a kid, Corey Wadden's mom has wanted the Saab. Wadden writes on his YouTube video that she first hopped in the driver's seat of one of these odd retro rides while working as a cleaning lady. One of her clients would toss her the keys and let her move the car. She fell in love. After a year of searching and saving, this nominee for best son in the world brought his mom down to the parking lot, where her dream ride awaited. First, he handed her an envelope with a picture of the car and the keys, a dead giveaway. She quickly put two and two together, and lost it before making it to the parking lot. She is so happy and full of gratitude that she actually drops to her knees when he opens the door. Wadden writes on his page that his mom lost her job two-and-a-half years ago and hasn't had a reliable car in years. This car aims not just to get her mobile again, but lift her spirits. It's also part of the Toronto entrepreneur's promise to become a millionaire by the time he is 25 to help his mother retire. Related Gallery The Best Cars For Empty Nesters Weird Car News Saab

eBay Find of the Day: 1985 Saab Turbo Limo is the ultimate high school reunion ride

Yes, we've seen this 1985 Saab 900 Turbo limo for sale before. But somehow, this time is just seems more right. And we've got more pictures this go-around.
With the Saab brand now dormant and little hope for a true renaissance, save for one that comes in name only, Saab's future must lie in the celebration of great cars of its past. And what better way to celebrate the wonderful Saab 900 than to chop it in half and turn it into a freaking limousine?
Claimed to have been built by a Denver area Saab specialist, this five-speed manual 900 Turbo is listed with a Buy It Now of $8,500. It's actually surprisingly well turned-out, too, with a pretty decent interior that sticks to real Saab seats, avoiding the crushed-velvet or button-festooned lounge chair look. While this seems rather spendy for a well-used limousine, good luck finding another one like it. And besides, that's a lot less than the $12,500 asking price from back in 2010.