Mon, Jun 28, 2010
The TMk2 May Revolutionize The Way The RAF Trains Future Fast
Jet Pilots
The UK Royal Air Force's (RAF) Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT)
has accumulated 500 flying hours in 500 sorties, the service said
Wednesday. The RAF received the first of their 28 Hawk AJTs, also
known as the TMk2, in 2009. Significant progress with the aircraft,
which is used to train fast jet pilots of the future, has been made
to date.
Wing Commander Brian Braid said: "To complete over 500 sorties
and flying hours in the Hawk TMk2 is a great achievement. Since
coming into service with 19(Reserve) Squadron last April the
aircraft has caused quite a stir at RAF Valley as a world leading
fast jet trainer.
"It has all the familiarity of the world renowned and much loved
Hawk series of aircraft, but has the added bonus of being packed
with the latest technology and avionics. The Hawk TMk2 is set to
revolutionize the way the RAF trains its future fast jet pilots
under the UK Military Flying Training System. All the pilots
currently flying the Hawk TMk2 have nothing but praise for its
ability to emulate our front line aircraft and are looking forward
to being able to teach students and front line fast jet pilots in
the new aircraft in the near future."
Martin Rushton, Managing Director for BAE Systems' Training
& Hawk UK business commented: "This is great news for both the
RAF and BAE Systems. The RAF only received the first of their
aircraft last year and have already got to grips with it and
achieved this high number of sorties and flying hours. As a company
we believe the AJT is the most advanced jet trainer in the world,
feedback from the RAF service personnel who are now using the
aircraft provides the evidence of our belief. "
BAE Systems has recently been awarded a contract to support the
AJT aircraft over the next four years, and is responsible not only
for the number of aircraft made available for training flights but
also for ensuring that the aircraft are able to carry out the
training mission effectively.
To date 23 of the 28 aircraft have been delivered by BAE Systems
to the RAF at RAF Valley. The final aircraft is due to be delivered
this year. BAE Systems also currently supports the RAF's Hawk TMk1
fleet at RAF Valley on Anglesey in Wales.
Over 900 Hawk aircraft have been sold, or are on order, and the
aircraft is currently helping produce highly trained pilots across
25 countries worldwide. The AJT is the latest evolution of the Hawk
family of Jet Trainers. It features the latest embedded training
capabilities, and when combined into an Integrated Training System
will deliver trained pilots at the lowest cost.
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