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Hawk lead-in fighter upgrade achieves IOC

written by australianaviation.com.au | July 6, 2017

Initial operational capability (IOC) for the Lead-In Fighter Capability Assurance Program (AIR 5438 Phase 1A) for the RAAF’s Hawk 127 has been recognised at a ceremony at RAAF Base Williamtown.

Each upgraded Hawk 127 lead-in fighter provides new training capabilities including simulated radar, electronic warfare, digital mapping, ground proximity warning system and traffic collision avoidance.

The upgrade program also includes the replacement of two legacy synthetic training devices with three full-mission simulators provided by CAE.

The first students at 79 Squadron at RAAF Base Pearce have now commenced training on the upgraded jet.

“The upgraded BAE Systems Hawk aircraft provides the RAAF with a leading-edge capability, and coupled with the CAE full-mission simulators delivers a highly impressive Lead-In Fighter Training System that will ensure Hawk retains its effectiveness into the next decade and beyond,” BAE Systems Australia chief executive Glynn Phillips said in a statement.

“The upgrade brings the RAAF Hawk up to the same platform capability as the most modern Hawk aircraft around the globe, allowing for future shared development and potentially shared cost across multiple users.”

Engineering teams from BAE Systems in Australia and the UK, together with CAE and Cubic, have worked with the Commonwealth to deliver the capability.

A joint team of BAE Systems and RAAF technicians has so far completed upgrading 12 of the 33 aircraft in the fleet, with the upgrade work expected to be completed by early 2019.

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Comments (9)

  • Paul

    says:

    Our Airforce is top notch with better things to come.

  • PAUL

    says:

    Such a nice little Aircraft, they sound good too when the RR-Adour cranks up, one would think its a much more powerful engine than just 6000lbs thrust…

  • Paul

    says:

    Paul,just needs afterburners now?

  • PAUL

    says:

    Just need to a find an Ex RAF Jaguar engine… ::)

  • Harry

    says:

    Anyone know when we will plan to replace these little workhorses? Just curious… as the F35 countries are all (some) currently updating their trainer fleets to more modern trainers to provide next-gen training for the F35s…

  • John N

    says:

    Harry,

    When will the Hawk 127s be replaced?

    If you have a look at the 2016 DIIP, there is a project for their replacement, it’s know as the Lead-in Fighter Training System, has a project date range of 2022-2033, and a budget allowance of $4b-$5b.

    Which would probably mean the replacements will start to enter service around 2030 and be at FOC around 2033.

    As to what replaces them? Possibly whatever the USAF selects as their T-38 replacement, but too early to tell yet.

    Anyway, the Hawks will still be doing their thing until at least the early 2030’s.

    Cheers,

    John N

  • Paul

    says:

    Harry,I believe the Hawks will be in service for quite a while,and will be upgraded necessarily to train our pilots.There is no 5th gen stealth trainer so that would be my guess.

  • Andy

    says:

    Simply the Best Little Fighter

  • Zarg

    says:

    Well, if the Yanks bought it, it MUST be good!!

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