BAE Systems, Inc. announced today that two UK Royal Air Force Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers will, for the first time, demonstrate the new Hawk’s advanced capabilities at U.S. Air Force bases across the country.
The Hawk Advanced Jet Training System (AJTS) is the most technologically sophisticated version of the successful trainer. More than 900 Hawk aircraft have been sold to date across 18 countries and the aircraft is currently helping produce highly trained pilots around the world. The Hawk has been selected to be the future lead-in advanced jet trainer for the F-35 for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, the UK, Canada, and Australia. USAF Hawk AJTS aircraft will be manufactured and delivered in the United States.
“We look forward to demonstrating the combined capabilities of the Hawk aircraft and associated ground based training systems to the U.S. Air Force and the public at large,” said Robert Wood, Vice President and lead of the U.S. Hawk Advanced Jet Training System Program. “Our Hawk AJTS offering for the U.S. Air Force will be a new variant of the aircraft with avionics and capabilities uniquely tailored to meet future USAF requirements. The current design continues to be the most capable and cost-effective advanced jet trainer – in service, in production and in demand, teaching modern air combat skills for today and tomorrow.”
The aircraft will complement the Hawk AJTS National Road Show, a travelling exhibit that includes video, simulations and interactive demonstrations illustrating the unique features of the integrated training system.
BAE Systems, Inc. is offering the Hawk AJTS as the replacement for the aging T-38 trainer, as part of the U.S. Air Force’s T-X program. BAE Systems, Inc. announced last week that it will prime this pursuit and Northrop Grumman will serve as the manufacturing partner for the new Hawk aircraft.
Bringing the planes to the United States will allow U.S. Air Force personnel to experience hands-on the sophisticated capabilities of the Hawk AJTS and underlines BAE Systems, Inc.’s commitment to meeting the U.S. Air Force’s training objectives. The Hawk aerial display demonstrates the off-the-shelf availability of a proven Advanced Jet Training System.
The Hawk AJTS cost-effectively trains pilots of next generation aircraft like the F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor, and the Typhoon. Using synthetic avionics the Hawk can emulate expensive sensor suites and cockpit displays, such as a fully-functioning radar. The system provides pilots unmatched airborne situational awareness and a suite of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons training tools.
The Hawks also feature advanced data-link systems, night vision imaging capability, and 8G turning performance, and can have an air-to-air refueling capability. A proven, safe, trainer that is ready now, the Hawk AJTS is a perfect fit for the U.S. Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Advanced Phase Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training and Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals.
The two Hawk aircraft and the Hawk Advanced Jet Training System Demonstration Trailer will be on display at the following locations on the following dates:
- Oct. 1-2: Sheppard AFB Air Show (Wichita Falls, Texas)
- Oct. 8: Holloman AFB Air Show (Alamogordo, N.M.)
- Oct. 15-16: Wings over Houston Air Show 2011 – Flight Demonstration (Houston, Texas)
- Oct. 22-23: Fort Worth Alliance Air Show – Flight Demonstration (Fort Worth, Texas)
- Oct. 29-30: Randolph AFB Air Show – Flight Demonstration (San Antonio, Texas)
