BAE Systems Hawk
Contents
(photo, BAE SYSTEMS)
Key Facts
| Main Role: | Advanced Trainer and Light Attack Aircraft |
| Configuration: | Swept-winged jet |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Current Status: | In Service, Out of Production |
Development
The Hawk originates from a 1964 requirement for a new RAF trainer to replace the Gnat. The two-seat Jaguar was initially intended for this role, but it was soon realised that this would be far from ideal. Accordingly, in 1968 Hawker Siddeley Aviation began the design of a much simpler strictly subsonic trainer, which it designated P.1182 (later HS.1182). The stepped cockpit, allowing the instructor in the rear seat a good forward view, was an innovation subsequently adopted by many other training aircraft.
Confidence in the design was such that no prototypes or pre-production aircraft were ordered, the first six production aircraft being used for development testing. Five of these aircraft were later delivered to the RAF. After entering RAF service in April 1976, the Hawk replaced the Gnat and Hunter in the advanced training and weapons training roles respectively. The most famous RAF operator being the ‘Red Arrows’ aerobatic team.
The Hawk gained an additional role from January 1983, when modification of 88 RAF aircraft to carry Sidewinder missiles commenced. The resulting T.Mk 1A variant was intended for emergency use as a point-defence fighter, supporting Phantoms and Tornados in the UK Defence Region. These aircraft are now used as dedicated weapons trainers. The Hawk subsequently replaced the Canberra in the target towing role.
The Royal Navy also acquired a dozen Hawk T.Mk 1/1As from the RAF, for use by FRADU as aerial targets for the training of ships gunners and radar operators.
From an early stage, the Hawk had aroused considerable export interest, and in 1977 the 50 series export variant was introduced. This minimum change version included provision for underwing drop tanks for the first time. In 1982 an improved export version, the 60 series was introduced, featuring an uprated engine, improved wing aerodynamics and revised wheels and tyres. Further development led to the Hawk 100 and Hawk 200 series, described separately. The T-45 Goshawk variant, adopted by the US Navy is also described separately.
Variants
Requirement Specification: AST 397
Manufacturers Designation: HS.1182
| Development History: | |
| P.1182 | Designation for initial project studies |
| HS.1182 | Manufacturers designation for final project studies |
| Hawk T.Mk 1 | Initial production version. No prototypes or pre-production aircraft produced |
| Hawk T.Mk 1A | Modification to T.Mk 1A to allow installation of AIM-9L Sidewinder AAMs on underwing launchers for use in a back-up air defence role |
| Hawk 50 series | Initial export version based on T.Mk 1 |
| Hawk Mk 51 | Initial export version for Finland |
| Hawk Mk 51A | Second export batch for Finland |
| Hawk Mk 52 | Export version for Kenya |
| Hawk Mk 53 | Export version for Indonesia |
| Hawk 60 series | Improved export version. Uprated Mk 861 Adour engine of 5,700 lb st (25.4 kN), additional wing leading-edge fences and four-position flaps to improve lift, anti-skid brakes and revised wheels and tyres. |
| Hawk Mk 60 | Initial 60 series export version |
| Hawk Mk 60A | Second batch for Indonesia |
| Hawk Mk 61 | Export version for Dubai |
| Hawk Mk 63 | Upgrade conversion of Mk 60 for Abu Dhabi |
| Hawk Mk 64 | Export version for Kuwait |
| Hawk Mk 65 | Export version for Saudi Arabia |
| Hawk Mk 66 | Export version for Switzerland |
| Hawk Mk 67 | Hybrid export version for South Korea. Combines a 60 series airframe with the avionics and systems of the 100 series aircraft. Equipped with ranging radar in an extended nose and nosewheel steering. |
| Hawk 100 series | Advanced two-seat trainer and light attack variant |
| Hawk 200 series | Single-seat fighter and ground attack variant |
| T-45 Goshawk | Carrier-landing capable variant for the US Navy |
History
| Key Dates: | ||
| 1968 | Initial design studies | |
| January 1970 | Official AST 397 Requirement Issued | |
| October 1970 | HS.1182 wins production contract | |
| 1973 | ‘Hawk’ name chosen | |
| 21 August 1974 | Maiden flight of first prototype T.Mk 1 | |
| April 1976 | First delivery of production T.Mk 1 to RAF | |
| December 1977 | First export delivery Mk 51 to Finland | |
| 1982 | Red Arrows aerobatic team converts to Hawk | |
| July 1982 | First ’60 series’ export orders placed | |
| January 1983 | Contract for T.Mk 1A conversions placed | |
| May 1986 | T.Mk 1A conversions completed | |
| 1999 | New fuselage programme for T.Mk.1/1A starts | |
Operators
Military Operators
| Abu Dhabi AF | Mk 60 – 16 a/c (15 to Mk 63A) |
| Dubai AF | Mk 61 – 9 a/c |
| Finland AF | Mk 51 – 50 a/c, Mk 51A – 7 a/c |
| Indonesia AF | Mk 53 – 20 a/c |
| Kenya AF | Mk 52 – 12 a/c |
| Kuwait AF | Mk 64 – 12 a/c |
| Saudi Arabia AF | Mk 65 – 30 a/c |
| South Korea AF | Mk 67 – 20 a/c |
| Switzerland AF | Mk 66 – 20 a/c |
| United Kingdom AF | T.Mk 1 – 175 a/c (88 to T.Mk 1A) |
| United Kingdom Navy | T.Mk 1/1A – 12 a/c ex-RAF |
| Zimbabwe AF | Mk 60 – 8 a/c, Mk 60A – 5 a/c |
Government Agencies
| United Kingdom ETPS | T.Mk 1 – 1 a/c, Hawk ASTRA – 1 a/c |
| United Kingdom Qinetiq | T.Mk 1/1A – 2+ a/c ex-RAF |
Civilian Operators
| None |
Specifications
| BAE SYSTEMS Hawk T.Mk.1 |
|---|
| Crew: Two (Instructor – Rear cockpit, Trainee – Front cockpit) |
| Dimensions: Length 38 ft 11 in (11.86 m) incl. nose probe, 36 ft 7.75 in (11.17 m) excl. nose probe; Height 13 ft 1.24 in (3.99 m); Wing Span 30 ft 9.75 in (9.39 m); Wing Area 179.60 sq ft (16.69 sq m) |
| Engines: One Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Adour Mk151-01 rated at 5,200 lb st (23.13 kN) dry |
| Weights: Empty Equipped 8,040 lb (3647 kg); Normal Take-off 11,100 lb (5035 kg); Maximum Take-off 12,566 lb (5700 kg) |
| Armament: Normal maximum external ordnance 1,500 lb (680 kg), Absolute maximum external ordnance 6,800 lb (3084 kg) on three hard points. Loads may comprise single 30-mm gun pod under the fuselage, and two AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles or light bombs or [Export versions only] two underwing drop tanks of up to 190 Imp gal (228 US gal, 864 litres) |
| Performance: Maximum level speed 560 kt (645 mph, 1038 km/h) at 11,000 ft (3355 m); Maximum rate of climb at sea level 9,300 ft/min (2835 m/min); Service ceiling 50,000 ft (15240 m); Standard range 1310 nm (1509 miles, 2428 km); Ferry range 1670 nm (1923 miles, 3094 km) |
Production
Design Centre
Head of Design Team: Gordon Hudson (Design of the Hawk)
Assistant Chief Designer: Gordon Hodson (Customer Requirements/Marketing)
Design Office: Kingston Upon Thames, London
Manufacture
|
BAE SYSTEMS PLC, United Kingdom
(Formerly British Aerospace plc, Formerly Hawker-Siddeley Aviation Ltd) |
|||
| Version | Quantity | Assembly Location | Time Period |
| Hawk T.Mk 1 | 175 | Dunsfold, Surrey* | 1973-1982 |
| Hawk 50 series | 39 | Dunsfold, Surrey* | 1977-1981 |
| Hawk 60 series | 101 | Dunsfold, Surrey* | 1982-1992 |
| Total: | 315 | ||
* Fuselages made at Kingston upon Thames factory near London.
|
Valmet, Finland
(Later Finaviatec) |
|||
| Version | Quantity | Assembly Location | Time Period |
| Hawk Mk 51 | 50 | Helsinki | 1977-1980 |
| Total: | 50 | ||
|
F+W, Switzerland
|
|||
| Version | Quantity | Assembly Location | Time Period |
| Hawk Mk 66 | 20 | Emmen | 1985-1987 |
| Total: | 20 | ||
Total Produced: 385 a/c
Production List
 |
|
| Dubai AW Hawk Mk 61 serial 501 (photo, BAE SYSTEMS) |
|---|
More Information
Books
‘Hawk Comes Of Age’ [Order this book from Amazon UK]
by Peter R March
Published by RAF Benevolent Fund Enterprises Ltd, Dec 1995 ISBN: 1 89980 800 0
* Very well illustrated history.
‘BAe Hawk – Modern Combat Aircraft No.20′
by Arthur Reed
Published by Ian Allan Ltd, 1985 ISBN: 0 7110 1465 5
* Development and operational history of the Hawk.
‘Hawk – British Aerospace’ [Order this book from Amazon UK]
by Roy Braybrook
Published by Osprey Publishing Ltd, Oct 1984 ISBN: 0 85045 580 4
* Very good development history up to the Hawk 200.
‘Hawk T.1 – Aeroguide 1′
by Roger Chesnau & Ray Rimell
Published by Linewrights Ltd, 1983 ISBN: tba
* Modellers guide to the RAF Hawk.
‘BAe Hawk in Worldwide Service – On Target Profiles 3′
by Jon Freeman
Published by The Aviation Workshop Publications Ltd, 2004 ISBN: tba
* Collection of colour profile drawings of the various Hawk variants.
‘World Air Power Journal, Volume 22′ [Order this book from Amazon UK]
Published by Aerospace Publishing Ltd, July 1995 ISBN: 1 87402 362 X
* Includes very detailed 66-page feature on the Hawk.
Magazines
To be added.
Links
The BAe Hawk
(Well written Hawk history)
ASTRA Hawk
(Brief details of the ASTRA Hawk used by ETPS)
Halo
(Mention of Hawk T.1 testing at Warton)
Airliners.Net
(2 pages of Hawk photos)
Shop
Flight Simulator Models:
To be added.
Scale Models:
To be added.
Scale Drawings:
Aviation News Vol.8 No.4, 20 July 1979
Videos:
To be added.
Tags: BAE SYSTEMS, British Aerospace, Hawk, Hawker Siddeley
Types | admin | Posted 
7 March 2010 10:34 am | Last Updated 23 December 2010 4:01 pm |
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