Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, Chief of Air Staff of UK’s Royal Air Force, flew one of the Hawk Mk 128 Advanced Jet Trainer development aircraft from BAE Systems at Warton.
Following his flight in the UK Hawk AJT (RT001), the RAF’s Chief of Air Staff said: “The flight was excellent – it’s the first time I’ve flown the Mk128 and the difference from the TMk1 currently in service is hugely significant, in performance and especially in terms of avionic capability.”
The Hawk AJT will enter service with the UK Ministry of Defence next year, and will train the next generation of RAF and Royal Navy fast jet pilots. The aircraft flown by ACM Torpy, is one of two aircraft being used to develop and test the capabilities and technologies that the fleet will possess when they enter service.
Mark Parkinson, Managing Director – Training Solutions, BAE Systems said: “To have the Chief of Air Staff fly the UK Hawk AJT was a great opportunity for us to demonstrate the progress we are making on the programme as the Mk128 has the latest generation digital cockpit which brings it right up to date with UK MoD frontline aircraft. CAS’ flight also enabled us to demonstrate that the Hawk AJT is safe and ideally suited to train the future generation of fast jet pilots.”
ACM Torpy added “The new systems and the FADEC controlled engine all add significant training capability to the well-liked Hawk package. The Mk128 delivers exactly what we are looking for: better performance, systems integration and advanced avionics and will ease the transition of future students to our frontline aircraft.”
