Hawk 127 airframe completes life extension tests in Australia
A team from BAE Systems in the UK and the Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) has completed a major structural testing programme on a specially adapted Hawk 127 trainer jet, to achieve the equivalent of 50,000 flying hours (five times its safety clearance for the Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF).
‘This a major milestone for the Hawk programme which proves there is many years more life left in the 650 aircraft we have training pilots across the globe every day,’ said Mike Swales, head of international markets at BAE Systems.
The airframe was subjected to and tested on the range of loads it would experience in actual flight, with durability tests carried out at the DSTO facility in Melbourne to simulate real-life fleet usage based on projected operational requirements.
This marked the culmination of a 14-year programme to extend the structural integrity of the Hawk airframe far beyond its intended life.
‘The airframe will now be dismantled with components undergoing a further two-year period of detailed inspections,’ BAE Systems stated on 10 August.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the RAAF fleet of 33 Hawk 127s was upgraded from 2014 to 2019, involving local firms and international companies such as CAE and Cubic. Improvements included a simulated radar, EW, digital mapping, a ground proximity warning system and traffic collision avoidance.
Despite this upgrade and the latest achievement, Australia in June officially began the search to replace the Hawk 127, by issuing an RfI for a future lead-in fighter training system.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Training
-
![British Army Strategic Training Partner bidders drop from seven to four]()
British Army Strategic Training Partner bidders drop from seven to four
Three of the bidding consortia have dropped out of the competition to become STP for the British Army Collective Training Service.
-
![What is preventing the US Pentagon from succeeding in multi-domain scenarios?]()
What is preventing the US Pentagon from succeeding in multi-domain scenarios?
Outstanding issues to be addressed include improving doctrine, increasing the number of joint exercises and better integrating capabilities across the services.
-
![AI innovation set to revolutionise military training landscape]()
AI innovation set to revolutionise military training landscape
Artificial intelligence offers unprecedented potential to revolutionise military training, enabling agile and decisive forces.
-
![Training Together: Unlocking Educational Excellence through Military and Industry Collaboration (Studio)]()
Training Together: Unlocking Educational Excellence through Military and Industry Collaboration (Studio)
Military training is ultimately about people. At Capita, training programmes are built on close engagement with partners, delivering an educational approach that can adapt to individual needs, cultivate leadership – and drive wider cultural change.
-
![Three A-29 Super Tucanos find new home at US Air Force Test Pilot School]()
Three A-29 Super Tucanos find new home at US Air Force Test Pilot School
Embraer’s light attack aircraft were selected by Edwards Air Force Base to join its test pilot school, following their abandonment by US Air Force Special Operations Command.
-
![Enhancing Military Training Through Digital Technology (Studio)]()
Enhancing Military Training Through Digital Technology (Studio)
Digital technologies offer huge opportunities for defence training. However, militaries must adopt an agile approach, placing the needs of their organisations and personnel at the centre of their efforts.
