Tim Ripley
A battle to win a global market for 3,000 advanced jet trainers, worth almost $4 billion, kicks off today with British Aerospace unveiling its new Lead-in Fighter Trainer (LIFT) version of its best-selling Hawk.
Capitalising on recent success in Australia, BAe is emphasising the new aircraft's enhanced capabilities. "It is almost a completely different aircraft and we are trying to get rid of the thought that it is an old aircraft," says Andy Wilson, head of Hawk new business. "We were even considering changing the name."
The Hawk LIFT's main rival, the Czech Aero Vodochody L-159, is at Farnborough for the first time but Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA) has left the mock-up of its Mako, formerly the AT-2000, at home. DASA describes the Hawk as "not the youngest" aircraft, and emphasises the Mako's light fighter potential as a rival to the Saab Gripen.
Potential
BAe is so convinced of the potential of the Hawk LIFT that the company has invested £20 million ($32 million) in improved production facilities at the Brough plant.
The Hawk LIFT is an outgrowth of the Hawk supplied to Australia, and features a full glass cockpit, new avionics, night vision goggle compatible cockpit and new HOTAS.
Optional items include air-to-air refuelling, forward looking infrared, laser ranger/spot tracker and AGM-65 Maverick missile capability. At $12.8-$19.2 million (£8-£12 million) an aircraft, Wilson says the Hawk LIFT is "value for money".
Source: Flight Daily News
