The new aircraft
builds on the success of its long-serving predecessor, but
benefits from significant enhancement to bridge any gap with the
latest front line jets entering service, such as Typhoon.
Featuring a “glass” cockpit and the latest advances in radar,
weapons and defensive aids simulation, the Hawk T Mk2 is aimed at
providing a seamless transition from flying training to
operational squadron.
Welcoming the arrival of the first jets at RAF Valley in Wales,
Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies MP,
said: “Delivery of these aircraft is excellent news for the Royal
Air Force and for British industry. Building on the success of the
Hawk T Mk1, they will enable our pilots to hone the skills
required to fly the latest generation of combat aircraft in a
state-of-the-art training environment.”
In addition to the realistic in-flight training environment, the
new Hawk benefits from simpler design and construction, leading to
lower acquisition and support costs. Infrastructure to support the
new training regime is currently under construction at RAF Valley
by the Ascent Flight Services consortium, which was awarded the
£600M contract to deliver all military pilot training on an
incremental basis last summer.
Air Vice-Marshal Baz North, Air Officer Commanding 22 Group,
responsible for all RAF training, sang the praises of this
aircraft: “The Hawk has long been the backbone of fast jet
training but this new advanced version will be far more
representative of the new generation of jets that our trainee
pilots will go on to fly on operations. It will provide real
benefits in enabling pilots to move more rapidly to full combat readiness.”
Initial deliveries of 10 aircraft following formal “Release to
Service” in April will allow six to be used for development of the
full training syllabus, prior to the start of pilot training on
the new aircraft in 2011.
The new aircraft are built at the BAe Systems plant at Brough on
North Humberside, which employs around 1800 people. They are then
flown to Warton in Lancashire for painting and flight testing
prior to delivery to RAF Valley.
“Release to Service” is a statement that the aircraft is signed
off by the RAF as safe to be flown (within specific limitations)
by qualified armed forces personnel. The In Service Date is the
point in time from which the aircraft will be used for a stated
purpose and is set for later this year.
For more information please contact:
Sqn Ldr Al Green, MOD Press Office 020 7218 7950 or 07919
305864
Tim Lewis, Defence Equipment & Support Press
Office 0117 913 0526 or 07979 816735
Sqn Ldr Mark Byrne, Media
& Comms, RAF Valley, 01407 762241 ext
7834/7314
Malcolm Adams, BAe Systems, 01772 854177 or 07971 114483
For data on Hawk T Mk 2 follow the link: www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/hawk128.cfm