Iconic Display Team Faces Severe Threat of Extinction

The United Kingdom’s Red Arrows team could be grounded in coming years if it fails to find and purchase a replacement for its extremely aged Hawk T1 fleet. The jets, which have been in service for nearly half a century, are scheduled to retire in 2030.

The Red Arrows currently operate 16 Hawk T1 jets based at RAF Waddington. The youngest aircraft in the fleet is already 43 years old, and the rest is nearing half a century of service. Two T1s have logged more than 10,000 flight hours, which leaves just over 2,300 hours left until the 12,400-hour design maximum.

While finding a replacement for the old machines will still need to be done eventually, the iconic aerobatic demonstration team could hold off on moving out the existing fleet by putting in some serious preservation work. This means cutting down hardcore aerobatic training and displays to extend the T1’s lifespan.

“Each year the display is changed with new formations and maneuvers, these are assessed for best visual impact and safety alongside fatigue on the aircraft,” explained a spokesperson from the UK Ministry of Defense. “So if there was a requirement to reduce fatigue on the aircraft, some maneuvers could be adjusted to reduce G forces without affecting the visual impact.”

Unfortunately for the Red Arrows, there seems to be no other British-made jet up for the job. The best bet for the multi-million dollar contract is Aeralis, a Bristol-based advanced trainer jet manufacturer. However, the team could instead choose to work with popular foreign manufacturers like Boeing, Leonardo, or Lockheed Martin.

"The pilots and engineers are doing their best. If they are ordered to keep the aircraft flying, they will as long as it is safe to do so,” stated ex-Squad Leader Tim Davies. “The military are experts at managing their fleets. Each jet has a maximum service life and they know how to maximize this… but if they do not get new aircraft, the Reds are finished.”

FMI: www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/red-arrows/