Flight International Online news 10:00GMT: BAE Systems expects to receive a contract in the first quarter of 2006 for a production run of 30 Hawk 128 advanced jet trainers (AJT) for the UK armed forces, company officials say.
Negotiations have been running throughout 2005 for the proposed delivery of between 20 and 44 new-generation Hawks to replace the UK Royal Air Force’s current Hawk T1/1As with a fleet of aircraft capable of preparing RAF and Royal Navy pilots for operations with types including the Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Powered by a Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour 951 engine, the Hawk 128 can also simulate air-to-air and air-to-ground radar capabilities, downloading training from the operational conversion unit-level.
BAE in late 2004 received an initial contract to design and develop two prototype aircraft, the first of which made its debut flight earlier this year. The second is expected to fly in early 2006, says BAE.
The forthcoming UK order – which will cover airframe production but not through-life support – will further boost BAE’s Hawk business, following its receipt last year of a 66-aircraft order from India.
Deliveries are also ongoing to South Africa and six will be delivered to Bahrain from late 2006.
Hawk programmes sales executive Steve Wearden says BAE estimates a realistic order book for a further 350 Hawks over the next 10-15 years.
Near-term opportunities are believed to exist in Greece and the United Arab Emirates, with the latter requiring a new training capability to prepare pilots for its Dassault Mirage 2000-9 and Lockheed Martin F-16E/F strike aircraft fleets.
The Hawk faces competition from designs including the Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed T-50, which is made its debut appearance at the latest Dubai Air Show.
CRAIG HOYLE
Source: Flight Daily News
