19 Feb 2008 | Ref. 061/2008
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Hawk Swoops In On Singapore
Warton, UK – The BAE Systems Hawk, the world’s most successful advanced jet trainer, will once again be appearing at the Singapore Air Show.
Over 900 Hawks have been sold across the globe and 25 nations have had fast jet pilots trained on the Hawk aircraft. This includes pilots from the Republic of Singapore Air Force who have attended the NATO Flying Training College (NFTC) in Canada to develop their fast jet skills on the Hawk before transitioning to their frontline aircraft including the F-16.
The aircraft that will be on display in Singapore is the Company’s demonstrator aircraft which has recently completed a major upgrade programme, which brings it to a similar standard to the aircraft currently in production for the UK Ministry of Defence.
The upgrade included the installation of a new Mission Data Loading and Recording System (MDLRS). This enables student pilots to load planned missions onto the aircraft’s computers and then retrieve the data collected during their flight when they land. This allows both students and instructors to analyse in detail how well the mission was flown.
Whilst at the Singapore Air Show the aircraft will be demonstrating its sensor simulation capability, showing how the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) is capable of interacting with simulated ground based and airborne systems whose movements can be generated during mission planning and loaded onto the Hawk via the MDLRS. In addition real airborne platforms can be brought into the scenario using a system known as Datalink.
These capabilities will be incorporated on the UK Royal Air Force’s new Hawk AJT, a total of 30 of which are on order. The Hawk AJT will enter service with the RAF next year. Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, Chief of Air Staff in the UK, recently flew one of the new Hawks and commented: “The difference between the new Hawk advanced jet trainer and the Hawk TMk1 currently in service is hugely significant, in performance and especially in terms of avionic capability. The new systems and the FADEC controlled engine all add significant training capability to the well-liked Hawk package. The new Hawk delivers exactly what we are looking for: better performance, systems integration and advanced avionics and will ease the transition of future students to our frontline aircraft.”
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 96,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15 billion (US $27 billion) in 2006*.
*On a pro forma basis, assuming BAE Systems had owned Armor Holdings Inc for the whole of 2006"
For further information contact:
Andy Bunce, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1772 852714; Mobile: +44 (0) 7801 716448
andy.bunce@baesystems.com
Paul Earnshaw, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0)1772 85 6992 Mob: +44 (0)7801 715 851
paul.h.earnshaw@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384719 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
www.baesystems.com
