British Aerospace Hawk

Summary

Category	Training aircraft
Origin country	🇬🇧 United Kingdom
First flight	21 August 1974
Year of introduction	1976
Number produced	1000 units
Average unit price	$18 million

Description

The BAe Hawk is a British single-engine, jet-powered advanced trainer aircraft that was first flown in 1974. It was developed by Hawker Siddeley, which later merged into British Aerospace (BAe). The Hawk was designed to offer advanced training capabilities, including weapons training, and has also been adapted into various roles such as light attack and aerobatic performance. It is widely known for its use by the Red Arrows, the aerobatic team of the Royal Air Force (RAF). The aircraft has been exported to various countries and has seen multiple upgrades over the years to extend its service life and capabilities.

The BAe Hawk features a conventional design with a low-wing monoplane configuration. It's powered by a single Rolls-Royce Adour turbofan engine. The cockpit is tandem-style, meaning it has seating for an instructor and a student pilot, one behind the other. The aircraft is equipped with a tricycle landing gear and employs an all-metal structure.

In terms of avionics, it is relatively straightforward but adaptable, allowing for upgrades to more advanced systems for navigation, targeting, and electronic countermeasures, depending on the customer's requirements. Its design allows for a variety of external load configurations, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground munitions, and drop tanks for extended range.

A notable feature is its excellent maneuverability and ease of handling, which makes it a suitable platform for training pilots destined for more complex fighter aircraft.

Armament

The BAe Hawk was initially designed as a trainer, but its design allows for a range of armaments for light attack and air defense roles. The aircraft features up to five hardpoints: one under the fuselage and two under each wing. These can carry a mix of air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground munitions, and external fuel tanks.

For air-to-air roles, the Hawk can be equipped with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles or similar infrared-guided missiles. For ground attack, it can carry a variety of munitions, including unguided rockets, cluster bombs, and laser-guided bombs. Some versions also have a centerline pod that can house a 30mm cannon.

The aircraft's weapons capabilities are versatile but limited compared to dedicated multi-role fighters. The Hawk is not intended to be a front-line combat aircraft; rather, its weapons systems are generally used for training or light attack missions.

Operational history

The BAe Hawk entered service with the Royal Air Force in 1976, initially as an advanced training aircraft. It quickly gained a reputation for reliability and versatility. It's perhaps most famous for its role with the Red Arrows, the RAF's aerobatic display team, which has been flying the Hawk since 1979.

Beyond the UK, the Hawk has been exported to about 20 countries and has seen combat in various conflicts. For example, Hawks used by the Finnish Air Force participated in exercises as adversary aircraft, and those operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force have seen light attack missions in conflicts like the Yemeni Civil War.

Upgrades have kept the aircraft relevant over decades. For instance, the Hawk 100 series introduced in the 1990s featured advanced avionics, and the Hawk 128 (also known as the Hawk T2) further modernized the aircraft with a fully digital cockpit, among other enhancements.

The Hawk has trained multiple generations of fighter pilots who have transitioned to more advanced aircraft like the Eurofighter Typhoon and the F-35 Lightning II.

Variants

Hawk T.1/T.1A: The original versions used primarily for advanced training by the RAF. The T.1A is the armed variant capable of carrying two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
Hawk 50: Export variant with added combat capabilities including an uprated engine and the ability to carry a greater variety of weapons.
Hawk 60: Another export variant with improvements like enhanced avionics and the option for an in-flight refueling probe.
Hawk 100: A two-seat multi-role variant with advanced avionics, a redesigned nose to accommodate new systems, and additional hardpoints for weapons.
Hawk 127: Specific variant for the Australian Air Force, featuring updated avionics and the capacity for air-to-air refueling.
Hawk 128/T2: The latest variant used by the RAF, with a fully digital cockpit, advanced training systems, and improved structural design for an extended service life.
Hawk 200: A single-seat light multirole fighter with enhanced avionics and weapon-carrying capabilities. It's designed primarily for air defense and ground attack missions.
T-45 Goshawk: A specialized variant developed for the United States Navy as a carrier-capable trainer. Modifications include strengthened landing gear and tailhook for carrier landings.

Technical specifications

Version: Hawk
Crew	2 pilots
Operational range	2400 km (1491 mi)
Maximum speed	1190 km/h (739 mph)
Wing area	16.7 m² (179.6 sqft)
Wingspan	9.4 m (30.8 ft)
Height	4.1 m (13.4 ft)
Length	11.9 m (38.9 ft)
Service ceiling	15000 m (49213 ft)
Empty weight	3635 kg (8014 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	8340 kg (18387 lbs)
Powerplant	1 × Rolls-Royce/Turboméca Adour 151 delivering 2420 kgp

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	India	149 (+102)
	Saudi Arabia	69 (+12)
	United Kingdom	38
	Finland	37
	Australia	33
	Indonesia	29
	South Africa	23
	Oman	21
	Canada	17
	Malaysia	16
	United Arab Emirates	12
	Qatar	6 (+3)
	Bahrain	6
	Kuwait	6