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Aviation History
2003
2003 - 0451.PDF
COVGP storv HONING THE iN BAE is trying to modernise the Hawk without turning it into "a significantly different aircraft" Hawk is aim 30 years old. For ho;, much longer can the advanced trainer's sales viability be maintained? STEWART PENNEY / WARTON 32 25 FEBRUARY - 3 MARCH 2003 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL ext year, on 21 August, is the 30th anniversary of the first flight of the Hawker Siddeley Hawk advanced trainer. By then, BAE Systems hopes to have an order for 31 improved versions of the air craft from its original customer, the UK Royal Air Force. If BAE and the Ministry of Defence can thrash out a deal, advanced Hawk 128s are due to be delivered to the RAF from 2006 - 30 years after the first Hawk Tl was delivered to the service. BAE has subsequently sold over 800 of the two-seat jets (including the Boeing T-45 Goshawk for the US Navy) to 16 countries - more if users of the NATO Flying Training in Canada programme are added. Since 1976, BAE has continually devel oped the aircraft. The RAF's Tl and the broadly similar Mk50 export versions were followed by the 60 series with the 5,7001b- thrust (25.4kN) Rolls-Royce Adour 861 turbofan and minor modifications to the wing and undercarriage. The subsequent Hawk 100 series has a new wing, with additional weapon pylons, including wingtip air-to-air missile rails. The cockpit has multifunction displays (MFD), a front cockpit head-up display (HUD) with repeater in the instructor's cockpit, hands- on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) inceptors and upgraded avionics, while a forward- looking infrared (FLIR) or laser designator can be installed in an extended nose. Hawk 100s have been delivered with a variety of operational equipment, includ ing in-flight refuelling probes and self-pro tection equipment. Other refinements include nosewheel steering and onboard oxygen generation. Marketed alongside the 100 series was the single-seat, radar- equipped Hawk 200. Typically, each new customer has allowed BAE to develop the Hawk. The lat est versions, the Mkl27 lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) for Australia and aircraft for South Africa, incorporate elements that will be the baseline for the RAF proposal. The UK's future training plans are en compassed within its Military Flight Training System (MFTS), a proposed pri vate finance initiative for aircrew training post-ab initio, through basic and advanced instruction to operational conversion unit (OCU) entry. BAE made an unsolicited offer of the Hawk in 2001 and has been discussing it with the MoD. If new aircraft are to enter service in 2006, a deal needs to be struck this year. The RAF, however, is not BAE's sole target for the advanced Hawk, as it contin ues to seek exports, says Ray Rowlands, Hawk campaign support manager. If BAE is to continue to sell Hawks, it has to develop an aircraft to compete success- I fully against the generation of trainers now www.flightinternational.com
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