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Lead-in Fighter forges ahead

13 Jul 2001

The 30th and 31st BAE Systems Hawk Lead-in Fighter aircraft and the two Tactical Weapons System Training Systems (TWSTS) for the Lead-in Fighter have been accepted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

The aircraft and TWSTS are based at RAAF Base Williamtown in NSW and at RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia.

"This latest milestone achieved by the project team has reinforced that the Hawk Lead-in Fighter provides an outstanding state-of-the-art fast jet training capability, and that the partnering between the Commonwealth and BAE Systems continues to be a real success," said Mr Mark Parkinson, program director Australia - Hawk, BAE Systems.

The 31st Hawk Lead-in Fighter marked A27-34 will now join the 18 Hawks based at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW and the 12 aircraft at RAAF Pearce. The first TWSTS was installed in March at RAAF Williamtown and was developed by BAE Systems in South Australia as part of a suite of training aids for the Hawk Lead-in Fighter.

Recognised as the benchmark supplier of Hawk training systems worldwide, BAE Systems Australia has developed a comprehensive suite of equipment to maximise ground-based training.

"I am extremely pleased with the feedback from the RAAF from the initial phase of operation of the TWSTS," said Mr Parkinson

"The Australian Lead-in Fighter training aids team has produced an excellent system. Behind the training aids system is a highly detailed and extensive design network which has ensured that a high degree of fidelity and realism has been built into both the hardware and software components of the system."

In addition, BAE Systems Australia is progressing the certification of the air-to-air refuelling (AAR) capability for the Hawk Lead-in Fighters . The RAAF's fleet of Lead-in Fighters were delivered with the AAR system and are now being cleared for operational use. AAR has been a baseline requirement for the Lead-in Fighter since the contract was awarded in 1997.

"The Hawk's air-to-air refuelling capability has been previously demonstrated on the BAE Systems fleet of single seat Hawk 200 series aircraft," said Mr. Parkinson.

The AAR capability will add to the training and operational capability of the Lead-in Fighter. Additional planned capability for the Lead-in Fighter includes radar emulation, radar simulation and moving map.

Issued by Corporate Affairs, BAE Systems Australia