Two BAE Hawk advanced jet trainers from No,4FTS at RAF Valley wait to depart from the 2023 Royal International Air Tattoo
The British designed and built BAE Systems Hawk is one of the world's most successful advanced jet trainers. Originally designed by Hawker Siddeley, the Hawk first flew in 1974 and entered service with the RAF in 1976 to replace the Folland Gnat ; enjoying superb export success having being procured in various guises by 19 nations. A more advanced version of the Hawk, known as the Hawk 100 series was developed during the late 1980s which included a revised airframe, modern avionics, new wings and greater combat capabilities with deliveries beginning in 1993. The Hawk 100 was further developed into the 120 series, known as the Lead In Fighter in the late 1990s which was ordered by South Africa and Australia. Since 2008 the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer has also been licence built in India and flown by the Indian Air Force display team, the Surya Kiran. Whilst the original Hawk is no longer used by the RAF other than by the Red Arrows, the heavily updated Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer is currently operated by 4 and 25 Squadrons at RAF Valley as the Hawk where they are used to train the next generation of fighter pilot. The Hawk is operated alongside the Texan as part of Flying Training School. The Hawks form part of the Military Flying Training System (MFTS) operated under a PFI by Ascent.
Size: 4236px × 3389px
Location: RAF Fairford Gloucestershire UK
Photo credit: © Niall Ferguson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: 4fts, advanced, aircraft, bae, hawk, jet, raf, systems, trainer, valley
