Project Description
Pacmin Studios supported Boeing and Saab with a comprehensive physical sales campaign for their joint entry for the U.S. Air Force Advanced Pilot Training Family of Systems program, culminating in a historic $9.2 billion contract award and the birth of the T-7A Red Hawk.
The Challenge
Securing a multi-billion-dollar defense contract requires more than blueprints to earn the trust and confidence of the United States military. For the U.S. Air Force’s competition to replace the aging T-38 trainer, Boeing and Saab faced intense pressure from formidable competitors aggressively pitching their own upgraded airframes. Initially, Boeing planned to rely on digital presentations and standard desktop models to present their advanced T-X design. However, when a Boeing executive at the Paris Air Show saw competitors displaying full-scale mockups that completely dominated the exhibition floor, the strategy shifted. Recognizing that there was no match for the the gravity and presence of a large physical presence, Boeing knew they needed an impressive full-scale asset to prove to the United States Air Force that they were serious players in the contest and they needed it quickly.
The Plan
To win over decision-makers while simultaneously capturing the imagination of the entire defense sector, we designed a fleet of physical assets across multiple scales. First, we engineered a suite of high-fidelity desktop models during the aircraft’s initial development phase, showcasing the T-X in a variety of potential liveries including United States Air Force and Swedish Air Force markings to demonstrate both domestic use and global export potential.
As Boeing refined their design, we developed larger 1/10 and 1/4 scale display models featuring detailed, illuminated cockpits engineered to place stakeholders directly inside the aircraft. The centerpiece of this strategy, however, was an aggressive plan to manufacture a 1/1 full-scale interactive mockup of the T-X trainer. The goal was to debut this show-stopping asset at the AFA Air Warfare Symposium (AWS) in Orlando, Florida, allowing military pilots, generals, and key decision-makers to experience the aircraft as a tangible reality rather than just a pitch.
The Process
To execute this multi-scale campaign, our team began by engineering the 1/10 and 1/4 scale display models, integrating detailed cockpits equipped with active LED screens on the instrument panels. These lit displays brought the cockpit environment to life, allowing stakeholders to examine pilot ergonomics and imagine the flight experience before a full-scale mockup ever existed.
Simultaneously, to deliver the massive 1/1 full-scale mockup on an extraordinarily tight sub-three-month timeline, we we cordoned off 7000 square feet in one of our manufacturing facilities. We built a lightweight structural skeleton using concert-style aluminum trussing, overlaid with CNC-machined high-density foam panels and a sleek, durable outer skin. Engineered with detachable wings, modular horizontal stabilizers, and a transport-secure canopy, the full-scale mockup was built for rapid assembly and teardown.
After trucking the completed mockup cross-country to its debut at the AFA Air Warfare Symposium (AWS) in Orlando, Florida, the rugged frame proved its worth, allowing Boeing to disassemble, ship, and reassemble the full-scale asset at ten major defense exhibitions worldwide.
The Win
By giving decision-makers a physical, tactile representation of the aircraft to evaluate firsthand, the Boeing and Saab team successfully closed the pitch gap. The 1/1 full-scale mockup and supporting multi-scale display models commanded attention at major air shows and built enthusiasm among potential pilots, providing defense leadership with complete confidence in Boeing’s vision. This high-impact sales strategy culminated in the U.S. Air Force awarding the joint team the historic $9.2 billion contract for 351 aircraft and 46 simulators, officially naming the platform the T-7A Red Hawk.
Once the contract was secured and the high-pressure sales phase concluded, Pacmin Studios naturally transitioned into an ongoing program support role. As the program took off, we produced additional large-scale 1/16 and 1/10 T-7A models alongside the 1/48 scale desktop editions distributed globally through The Boeing Store and The Model Shop.
“They took on a mission that could not fail and they made it work. And not only that, [Pacmin] sent a team to every show we had. That was invaluable. They were as much a part of our team as any supplier we have. Pacmin was with us at every step. They show up when you call them, and they get it done.”
Kevin Sheehan
Business Capture Manager
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