WIREDGOV

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