<article><hdr>Ground shot of Fairchild T-46</hdr><body>
<hi style=afpcap>The need to replace the T-37 jet trainer began during the latter half of the '70s, with a competition to find a New Generation Trainer (NGT). The competition was completed in 1982 with the T-46A from Fairchild Republic being declared the winning design. An initial contract for two prototypes was placed in 1984 with plans to procure up to 650 aircraft for Air Training Command. These were tested at Edwards AFB, with the first production aircraft being rolled out in 1986. However escalating costs and production delays caused the Air Force to terminate the programme in March 1987. </hi>
