Hawk Fighter Trainer
The Royal Australian Air Force Hawk 127 is primarily used for
initial or lead-in fighter training to prepare aircrew for operational
conversion to the F/A-18 Hornet fighter or F-111 strike aircraft. It is
operated by No 76 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, and No 79 Squadron at RAAF Base Pearce, near Perth.
The Hawk 127 is a low-wing all-metal aircraft, fitted with an
integrated navigation and attack system, and powered by a single Adour
Mk 871 turbofan engine. The avionics system is integrated via a 1553
multiplex database. The principle components are two display and
mission computers (DMCs), which coordinate, process and command the
display of information from the communications, navigation and attack
sub-systems. Each cockpit has hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS)
controls.
The head-up display (HUD) in the front cockpit and three colour
multi-function displays (MFD) in each cockpit present a range of flight
information, ranging from aircraft performance and attitude through to
equipment status reports. Mission-specific data can be pre-programmed
by the pilot and downloaded into the system. Equipment performance,
aircraft fatigue and engine life data is monitored and recorded by a
health and usage monitoring system (HUMS).
The Hawk 127 armament system provides for the carriage, aiming and
release or firing of practice and Mk 82 bombs, AIM-9M Sidewinder
missiles and a 30mm cannon. The stores are carried on two wingtip
missile stations or pylon-mounted on four underwing and one centreline
hardpoints. A 30mm Aden cannon carried in a gunpod can be installed on
the centreline station in place of the pylon. Stores are controlled by
the integrated stores management system (SMS).
The Hawk through-life support programs have been designed for 25
years service. Its design allows for system upgrades to be
incorporated, to reflect evolving training requirements.
Related links
BAe Hawk 127 technical specifications
| Manufacturer |
BAE Systems |
| Role |
Two-seat advanced trainer and light attack fighter |
| Crew |
Pilot (instructor) and student |
| Engine |
Single Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk 871 |
| Airframe |
Length 11.95m, height 4.08m |
| Wingspan |
9.39m |
| Weight |
5443kg |
| Speed |
1207km/h |
| Range |
1207km |
| Ceiling |
50,000 feet |
