BAE Systems is to offer a major package of upgrades for international users of the Hawk advanced jet trainer, while also promoting the latest generation 128-model’s capabilities to potential new customers.
“We will start offering a suite of upgrades later this year,” says Michael Christie, BAE’s senior vice-president, Hawk International, whose responsibilities cover trainer business outside the UK.
The proposed enhancements will encompass “airframe, engine and avionics,” he says, with the move having been prompted by the Royal Australian Air Force’s need to perform a mid-life upgrade to its 33 Hawk 127s. The Bombardier-led NATO Flying Training in Canada system is viewed as another potential customer, he adds.
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BAE is using the current record price of oil to highlight the fuel economy of its single-engine Hawk, and estimates that operating costs for the type could be half those of twin-engined or supersonic designs over a service life of 4,000-5,000 flight hours.
“You can’t separate life extension from fuel consumption – it’s becoming a real issue,” says Christie. “I can see most of the larger air forces concentrating on life-cycle costs.”
Countering competition charges that the aircraft lacks the dynamic performance of current fighter aircraft, Christie notes: “We designed the Hawk to go slower, because that’s where the training regime is. There’s enough dynamic performance to stress the pilot.”
Saudi Arabia could be another potential customer for a package of upgrades, with BAE expecting to offer the nation a mix of new Hawk 128s and a modernisation package for some of its Hawk 65s to prepare pilots for operations with the Eurofighter Typhoon.
“There is no official requirement or budget, but there is clearly a need,” says Christie. Riyadh’s expected AJT contest was also one of the factors which led to Boeing recently partnering with Alenia Aermacchi on the M-346. BAE also continues to support Hawks operated by the United Arab Emirates, which has yet to advance its AJT contest. BAE meanwhile expects Singapore to issue a request for proposals for its AJT requirement around September.
Source: Flight International
