FLUG REVUE first flight gallery: BAE Systems Hawk 128

First Flight Gallery: BAE Systems Hawk 128

Read the original first flight press release:

SHAKEDOWN FLIGHTS BEGIN FOR HAWK Mk.128

29th July 2005 -- The first in a series of shakedown flights for the MOD's Hawk Mk 128, Advanced Jet Trainer (RT001) was made on the 27 th July at the BAE Systems facility at Warton, Lancashire. Achieved eight weeks ahead of schedule, this milestone within the UK AJT development programme will lead to an official first flight ceremony later in the year.

RT001 took to the skies at 13.02hrs. Chief test pilot Paul Hopkins (who is also the new Hawk 128 project director designate) piloted the aircraft with Hawk deputy project pilot Pete 'Wizzer' Wilson in the back seat. BAE Systems employees from both the Warton and Brough sites were in attendance to witness the flight which lasted 1 hour and 18 minutes.

'It was a very special moment in the development of the Hawk Mk128….It was particularly important to me as I will soon be managing the programme said Paul ….RT001 is a real pleasure to fly'.

RT001 is the first of two Hawk Mk128s being developed by BAE Systems as part of the £158million Design and Development Contract (DDC) with the UK MOD Defence Procurement Agency that was awarded in December last year.

The Mk128 introduces a new open architecture mission system which has been designed to allow future upgrades without the need for extensive system redesign and clearance. The mission system is based on latest generation avionics and includes simulation technology to enable Hawk to significantly expand its advanced jet training envelope. The Hawk Mk128 is powered by the latest Rolls Royce Adour Mk951 engine which has a target thrust of 6,500 Ibs and a Time Between Overhaul (TBO) of 4000 hours.

Commentating on this achievement Mark Parkinson managing director of the Hawk Programme said:

'This is a fantastic day for BAE Systems and the Hawk team. Being able reschedule the flight to so much earlier in the programme is a credit to the BAE Systems teams at Brough and Warton…The flight shows our continued commitment to achieve customer programmes to schedule'.

Notes
On 30 July 2003, the UK Government announced that BAE SYSTEMS had been selected to provide 20 aircraft with options to buy up to a further 24 aircraft to fulfil its Advanced Jet Trainer role. It is part of a wider project known as the UK Military Flying Training System, which will deliver a future flying training system for all three Services. The aircraft being offered within the contract has been designated as the Mk 128

About Hawk
The Hawk programme is responsible for the development and manufacture of the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer and its variants. Hawk is the world's most successful advanced training aircraft out-selling all other aircraft in its class. With 19 customers, over 900 Hawks are in operational service, or have been ordered world-wide.

About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. The company designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, fighting vehicles, radar, avionics, communications, electronics and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.

BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of over £13 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.

About UKMFTS
Hawk 128 will provide training for fast jet pilots from both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. It is part of a wider project known as the UK Military Flying Training System, the future flying training system for all three Services which will take aircrew from initial training on light aircraft through to multi-engine, fast jet and rear crew training until they are ready to graduate to Operational Conversion Units

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Last updated 25 August 2005

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