Boeing/British Aerospace T-45C Goshawk

Type (Muster)
Intermediate and andvanced jet trainer (Hochleistungs-Jettrainer)

Country (Land)
USA/UK (Großbritannien)

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Boeing (Aircraft and Missile Systems)
PO Box 516
St. Louis, Missouri 63166
USA

Phone: 001-314/234-6996
Fax: 001-314/233-1036

British Aerospace is contributing subassemblies from its UK factories.

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 2 in tandem on Martin-Baker Mk.14 ejection seats

Weapons: Normally none, but light stores capability on two wing and one fuselage pylon.

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Rolls-Royce F405-RR-401 (Adour 871)
Thrust (Schub): 26 kN (5845 lbs) static at sea level, ISA

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 11,98 m
Height (Höhe): 4,26 m
Span (Spannweite): 9,39 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 17,66 sq m

Weights (Massen)
Weight empty (Leermasse): 4460 kg
Max. fuel (Max. Kraftstoff): 1635 litres (432 US gal), plus two 591 litre tanks under wings
Normal take-off weight (normale Abflugmasse): 5783 kg
Max. take-off weigth (Max. Startmasse): 6387 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. level speed (max. Fluggeschwindigkeit): Mach 0.84 at 30000 ft (9150 m) or 1006 km/h at 8000 ft (2440 m)
Max. dive speed (max. Geschw. im Sturzflug): Mach 1.04
Approach speed (Anfluggeschwindigkeit): 232 km/h
Max. climb rate (max. Steigrate): 40,6 m/s
Time to 30000 ft (Steigzeit auf 9150 m): 7 min 40 sec
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 12200 m (40000 ft)
Take-off run to 15 m (Startstrecke über 15 m Hindernis): 1100 m
Landing from 15 m (Landestrecke über 15 m Hindernis): 1009 m
Ferry range (Überführungsreichweite): 1530 km (826 NM)
g-Limits: +7,3/-3 g

Costs (Kosten)
Total programme cost is put at 5,96 billion US-Dollars, which leads to a average unit cost of 25,8 million US-Dollars, according to Pentagon figures.

Customers (Kunden)
The T-45 was especially developed for the US Navy. Currently, 187 production aircraft are envisaged, of which around 120 are ordered so far.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Aero L 159
British Aerospace Hawk
Aermacchi MB339

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
This modification of the British Aerospace Hawk jet trainer was selected as the winner of the US Navy's VTXTS competition on 18. November 1981, beating five other candidates. The T-45 is intended as replacement for the T-2C Buckeye and the TA-4J Skyhawk in the intermediate and advanced jet flight training phases. It offers substantial savings through a smaller fleet, less flight hours to achieve training targets, and nearly 50 per cent less personnel necesary for operations.
The full-scale development phase for the T-45 began in October 1984. Two prototypes were built by (then) McDonnell Douglas. These made their maiden flights on 21. April 1998 and in November of that year.
Initial operational testing (OT-IIA) in November 1988 identified several major deficiencies in aircraft handling qualities during carrier waveoffs and missed arrested landings. Consequently, the programme acquisition scheule experienced several slips to allow for a thorough redesign. One of the main changes being the introduction of slats. The two prototypes resumed testing in the new configuration in September and October 1990.
The first two production aircraft were delivered to the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River in October and November 1990. The first carrier landing, on the USS John F. Kennedy, was made on 4 December 1991.
Production switched from Long Beach to St. Louis, where the first aircraft got airborne on 16 December 1991. It was handed over to the Navy on 23 January 1992.
Early production aircraft conformed to the T-45A standard. A T-45B variant, which would not have been carrier capable, was not pursued. From aircraft number 84 (first flown on 21 October 1997), production switched to the T-45C variant, which features a new "Cockpit 21" with two 5-inch square monochrome CRT screens. In addition, a dual redundant MIL-STD-1553B multiplex databus is incorporated. A combined GPS/INS replaces the standard attitude and heading reference system. Software modifications include improvements to the HuD in the front cockpit. Earlier aircraft will be retrofitted from 2004.
The US Navy intends to equip five training squadrons with the T-45C:

VT-21 (Training Wing 2) at Kingsville, Texas: equipped 1992 - 1996. The squadron began instructor training on 27 June 1992. It also conducted an operational evaluation in October/November 1993. Student training started in January 1994, with first student flight on 11. February that year.
VT-22 (Training Wing 2) at Kingsville, Texas: equipped 1992 - 1996
VT-7 (Training Wing 1) at Meridian, Mississippi: from 1997
VT-19 (Training Wing 1) at Meridian, Mississippi
VT-23 (Training Wing 1) at Meridian, Mississippi

Deliveries are expected to run to fical year 2003. The 100th aircraft was handed over on 20 January 1999. By 9 March 1999, the fleet has logged 200000 flight hours. T-45s have made more than 12000 arrested landing aboard aircraft carriers. Over 760 aviators have earned their wings on the Goshawk.
The T-45 Training System is more than just the airplane. It encompasses the complete training system package - including contractor logistics support, advanced flight simulators (2F137 instrument flight trainer and 2F138 operational flight trainer), computer-assisted instructional programs and a computer-based training integration system for efficient scheduling and use of all training recources.

Last updated 18 March 1999

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