Ian Sheppard/LONDON
The UK Ministry of Defence has given its approval for the Royal Air Force to replace the centre and rear fuselage sections of 80 British Aerospace Hawks in a major structural upgrade required to keep the advanced jet trainer fleet in service until 2010.
British Aerospace is due to be signed up as prime contractor on the £100 million ($162 million) programme by September, following the green light from the MoD's Equipment Approvals Committee.
The RAF's Hawk fleet has come under pressure, with aircraft availability proving increasingly problematic. In looking to make more aircraft available, senior RAFofficers had even proposed cutting the number of Hawks used in the Red Arrows display team. This proposal was vetoed at ministerial level, with the Red Arrows being described as a "national asset" by one Whitehall source.
The serious nature of the problems with the Hawk began to come to light in 1996, says Gp Capt Gil Williams, RAF deputy director support management 13, which is responsible for the airworthiness of the RAF's training aircraft.
"In 1996, a series of structural problems were detected on the life extension fatigue test aircraft and, more disturbingly, were also confirmed on in-service aircraft," said Williams, speaking at the Royal Aeronautical Society, London, on 21 April.
"In particular, cracks were discovered in a number of frames in the forward centre fuselage and in several locations on the tailplane," he added.
The RAF addressed these problems within the auspices of its Hawk Life Extension Programme (LEP), which is under way. Four options were considered: do nothing; perform a minimum modification; carry out a centre forward fuselage replacement; or replace the centre and rear fuselages.
The RAF is opting for the last proposal, with the rear and centre fuselage sections to be replaced with sections manufactured to the latest Hawk 60-series standard. The Hawk LEP has already resulted in a re-lifed wing and tailplane.
Two conversions a month are planned between September 2000 and 2003. Interim life extension work will head off a predicted drop in the airworthy fleet below the required 105 aircraft by July 2000.
A training needs analysis is now under way to facilitate a "decision on a Hawk replacement", says Williams, with a glass cockpit, avionics, and engine upgrades for the Hawk being an option. A new-build Hawk 100 derivative is also being considered.
Source: Flight International
