BAESystems' Hawk programme received a boost late last month with the delayed receipt of a design and development contract from the UK Ministry of Defence for its new-generation Hawk 128 advanced jet trainer. Reflecting a growing trend in the MoDto reduce the risk of its major procurement projects by funding development and test activities separately from making a final production decision, the 22 December Hawk deal is worth an initial £159 million ($307 million).
Two Hawk 128 demonstrators are being built at BAE's Brough plant. The first of these has had its wing attached and is on schedule to make its flight debut in mid-2005. In a key development for the programme, the mission computer for the 128's open-architecture avionics system completed its first flight test in BAE's Hawk 100 demonstrator last November.Flight tests of the two 128 demonstrators will be followed in the first half of 2006 by an MoD decision on whether to acquire the type to replace its current Hawk T1/1A trainers.
"We are adopting an incremental approach to development and production, ensuring that risks are jointly understood and reduced before significant investment decisions are taken," says UK defence procurement minister Lord Bach. The MoDhas not released details on how many aircraft it intends to acquire, or when they should enter service, but in late 2003 it identified a requirement for up to 44 Hawk 128s, with the first 20 scheduled for delivery from 2008.
If confirmed, the 44-aircraft deal has previously been estimated at £800 million, with a 25-year training, support and maintenance package costing a further £2.7 billion. The new aircraft will form part of the planned UK Military Flying Training System, but will be acquired separately from the private finance initiative scheme.
CRAIG HOYLE / LONDON
Source: Flight International
