High five for Hawk

A No. 79 Squadron Hawk flying over Alligator River during Exercise Kakadu.

Photo by LAC Allan Cooper

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* The Hawk is a low-wing, all-metal tandem aircraft. It is powered by a single Rolls-Royce Adour Mk 871 turbofan engine and fitted with an integrated navigation and attack system. Although primarily a training aircraft, its armament can comprise Mk 82 series bombs, AIM-9M missiles and a 30mm cannon. The aircraft has undergone a series of upgrades during its time in service.

THE Hawk has achieved a triple milestone.

It has turned five – and logged 30,000 hours without the loss of a single aircraft.

The milestone hour ticked over on September 12 during a Hawk flight from RAAF Base Williamtown.

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd congratulated all the personnel involved with the aircraft.

“The aircraft has proven to be a very capable lead-in fighter for our pilots and navigators,” he said.

“I congratulate all those involved in its introduction into service, the personnel at No. 78 Wing involved in day-to-day operations, as well as everyone who manages the on-going support, on this milestone.

“The Hawk is critical in ensuring the flow of fast jet crews meets the requirements of squadrons within Air Combat Group and has been a highly effective addition to our fleet.”

Chief Executive Officer Defence Materiel Organisation Dr Stephen Gumley said the introduction of the aircraft had proved most successful.

“BAE Systems have successfully provided deeper maintenance support for the aircraft since its introduction into service. This is indicative of the valuable partnership with industry which began at the time of acquisition and continues to develop,” Dr Gumley said.

The Hawk was acquired under Project Air 5267 as a replacement for the ageing Macchi trainer jet aircraft, which was operated by the Air Force and Navy. The total project cost was $785 million.

A contract with BAE for 33 aircraft was signed in 1997 and the first Hawks arrived in November 2000.

The aircraft are based with No. 76 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown and No. 79 Squadron at RAAF Base Pearce.

Pilots and navigators chosen for fast jet operations spend three months with No. 79 Squadron learning to fly the Hawk and then post to No. 76 Squadron for the Operational Conversion course, which focuses on fighter operations.

They then move to fast jet conversion courses with No. 6 Squadron or No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, depending on whether they are to fly F-111s or F/A-18s.

Since its introduction, the Hawk has proved to be an invaluable asset, as it provides air support for the Navy and Army as well as its primary training functions.

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