New BAE Systems Hawk visits Athens with the Red Arrows aerobatic Team
01 Jun 2006
The UK MODs new advanced jet trainer, the latest version of the BAE Systems Hawk is visiting Athens with the world famous RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team. This new version of the BAE Systems Hawk has been selected to meet the UKs demanding requirements to train pilots for next generation combat aircraft such as Typhoon and the F-35 JSF.
The new Hawk is being accompanied by the Red Arrows on a three week tour of the Middle East and Europe
The Red Arrows rely on Hawk, the worlds best selling advanced jet trainer, to carry out a demanding series of spectacular flying displays worldwide.
Team Leader Squadron Leader Dicky Patounas said: Our display is the product of highly skilled people in the air and on the ground and a reliable, easy to manoeuvre aircraft in the shape of the BAE Systems Hawk. We are pleased to be accompanying this latest version of the Hawk on this tour and feel that the latest export standard is well placed to continue the worldwide Hawk success story
From the outside, the new export version of Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) looks similar to those flown by the Red Arrows but the reality is that they are very different aircraft. Only the cockpit canopy and air brake remain the same. With a cockpit centred on three multi-function displays, a host of avionics and system enhancements and a new Rolls-Royce Adour Mk951 engine equipped with FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control), the Hawk will offer the ideal digital training environment for student pilots destined to fly the next generation of front line combat aircraft.
Commenting on the visit to Athens Mike Rudd, Hawk sales director at BAE Systems said: Greece has a requirement for an advanced jet trainer to replace its current T2 Buckeye aircraft, allowing Hellenic Air Force pilots to be trained to fly the next generation frontline aircraft. The new Hawk AJT is ideally placed to meet this requirement.
With the lowest acquisition and operating costs of all aircraft in its class, the cutting edge technology of its on-board systems and supporting ground based training environment and a proven operational capability, Hawk AJT is ideally suited for next generation fighter training.
Todays new generation Hawk, also selected by the Royal Australian Air Force, the Indian Air Force and Bahrain forms the heart of the worlds most advanced military pilot training systems. Graduates from Hawk move effortlessly onto flying the very latest front line fighters such as Typhoon, Gripen, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and Sukhoi 30.
Hawks outstanding performance, high reliability, ease of maintenance and through- life support have all been proven in-service resulting in low life-cycle costs and have been key factors in generating repeat orders from a number of existing operators
Winner of the last five major export competitions for advanced jet training aircraft, the BAE Systems Hawk attracts a high level of interest from prospective customers worldwide, ensuring that the worlds best selling advanced jet trainer will continue to fly high for years to come.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic 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 more than 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems sales exceeded GB 15.4 billion (US$28 billion) in 2005.
For further information, please contact:
Andy Bunce, Head of External Communications
BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1772 852714
andy.bunce@baesystems.com
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