Advanced Hawk demonstrator

A concept of a future variant of BAE Systems' highly successful Hawk aircraft has flown for the first time at the Company’s military aircraft facility in Warton, Lancashire. Equipped with a new type of pilot display, a redesigned wing and defensive aids, the Advanced Hawk will meet market requirements for the next generation of fast jet training aircraft.

Whilst the existing Hawk continues to be the world’s most successful jet trainer, the Advanced Hawk concept demonstrator builds on these proven successes. The concept demonstrator features an upgraded cockpit equipped with BAE Systems’ LiteHUD® (a low-profile head-up display) and a new, large area display that introduces a new student/pilot training experience. It also features a redesigned wing that increases performance in areas such as turn rates, angles of attack and both take-off and landing.

BAE Systems’ LiteHUD® (a low-profile head-up display)

Featuring Patented Optical Waveguide technology

LiteHUD® is a small and compact Head-Up Display (HUD), offering space and weight advantages paired with the latest optical waveguide technology. Its modular and lightweight design improves flight safety, reducing fatigue and increasing situational awareness day or night. Providing seamless operation with night vision goggles (NVGs), LiteHUD® allows for incremental capability upgrades with minimal impact to helmet and aircraft installation.

The benefits of LiteHUD

• 60% smaller and 50% lighter than a conventional HUD, integrates easily into both existing and future cockpits
• Incorporates significantly larger eye motion box, increasing pilot comfort
• High-resolution navigation and sensor imagery displayed under all flight conditions

Source baesystems.com

Large area display

Other technology advances include increased stores capability, a new set of defensive aids and a range of new flight systems, all aimed at ensuring Hawk continues to provide the edge in fast jet pilot training, as well as offering increased operational utility.

New wing

The first flight of the aircraft builds on its public debut at Aero India 2017 in Bangalore earlier this year.

Steve Timms, Managing Director Defence Information, Training & Services at BAE Systems said: “The successful first flight of the Advanced Hawk concept demonstrator is the latest step in the aircraft’s development and marks a significant milestone in Hawk’s capability upgrade.

“We already have the world’s leading advanced jet trainer and the new features in Advanced Hawk have been developed after listening to our customers’ views on where fast jet pilot training will go in the future and how we ensure the Hawk continues to meet their requirements.

“By using this demonstrator aircraft we have highlighted to existing users of Hawk that many of the proposed features of an Advanced Hawk, such as the large area display and new wing, could be achievable as upgrades.”

The aircraft will now undergo a series of flights to collect test data on the new key capability enhancements. Source: systems-bae.com

BAE's Advanced Hawk makes flight debut

BAE Systems has performed the first flight of its Advanced Hawk trainer, testing a series of enhancements which could equip new-build examples or be added as upgrades to in-service aircraft. The debut was performed from the company's Warton, Lancashire site on 7 June. Source: flightglobal.com

Rolls-Royce Adour Mk. 951 turbofan

Rolls-Royce Adour Mk. 951 turbofan

Manufacturer: Rolls-Royce plc and Safran

Thrust: 6,500 pounds

Overall Pressure Ratio at Maximum Power: 12.2

Bypass Ratio: 0.8

Thrust-to-Weight Ratio: 4.83

LP-HP Compressor Stages: 2-5

HP-LP Turbine Stages: 1-1

Combustor Type: Annular

Length: 77 in (1.96 m)

Diameter: 22.7 in (57.7 cm)

Dry Weight: 1,345 lbs (610 kg)

Platforms:

BAE Hawk

T-45 Goshawk

Source: fi-powerweb.com