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Hawk Flies with Indian Avionics
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Hawk Flies with Indian Avionics
(Source: BAE Systems; dated Feb. 16, web-posted Feb. 20, 2006)
The BAE Systems’ Hawk development aircraft ZJ100 is currently preparing to test brand new avionics equipment for the Indian Air Force.
The aircraft has been broken down to its major components at BAE Systems site at Warton in the UK where, the relevant modifications, including servicing have taken place and the aircraft reassembled.
One of the major changes for the aircraft has involved the removal of two existing wiring looms and their replacement with new sets for the avionics system developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAI) in India.
Dave Corfield, Hawk India Programme Director, explained, “It makes a lot of sense to test new systems and equipment on a proven aircraft. Until recently ZJ100 was leading development work for the Australian Air Force. Now we have converted the aircraft to the Indian standard, using avionics that have been developed by HAI for the Indian Air Force.”
A number of items have been replaced during the modifications, including a new Instrumented Landing System, a Global Positioning System and an Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS).
Intensive testing-in-flight of the new equipment will take place over the next few months.
BACKGROUND NOTES:
--The Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer for India contract was signed on the 26th March 2004 to supply 66 Hawk MK 132 AJTs to the Indian government. A total of 24 will be built at Brough; six in kit form will assembled in India; while the remaining 36, will be built in India.
-- A total of 300 HAL employees will receive familiarisation training at Brough over the next two years. A further 100 IAF engineers will undergo ground school training at Warton in 2007 with 12 IAF and two HAL pilots undertaking flight training at Warton.
--BAE Systems has a training programme in place at RAF Valley in Anglesey, where over the next three years around 75 IAF pilots, in cohorts of six or eight, will be trained. The first three of these cohorts have now graduated.
BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The Company employs over 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately £14.8 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations. (ends)
Su’ perior Training Impresses Indian Air Force
(Source: BAE Systems; dated Feb.
16, web-posted Feb. 20, 2006)
The Indian Air Force is so impressed with the quality of training its pilots are receiving on the BAE Systems Hawk at RAF Valley in Wales that it is allowing its pilots who complete the course to fly its most modern aircraft, the Russian SU30.
Initially, the air force chiefs in India expected that pilots would come back from the UK and then go on to older, western-built aircraft. However the Vice Chief of the Indian Air Staff and his team have been delighted with the capabilities of the pilots returning from the Hawk course, and have immediately put them into the more advanced aircraft.
Over and above, the undoubted qualities of Hawk with its worldwide reputation for ease of flying, low maintenance and high availability, part of the reason for the success of the training was the preparation that has gone into this unique course. During development, BAE Systems worked closely with the students’ air force training base at Bidar in India to familiarise with the systems that they use. The course content has also been refined to fit the levels of expertise, experience and knowledge of the students.
The students have also gained a number of other advantages training in the UK.
The complexities of the weather and the air control environment, along with the methods developed by the Royal Air Force, allow the students to think and operate in more challenging situations.
Pilots are trained at RAF Valley, Wales in groups of six or seven, and the value of the course has created a sense of anticipation amongst those students yet to undergo training.
The programme will train around 75 IAF pilots, with each course lasting 10 months and including 119 hours flying and 62 flight simulation sorties. The whole programme began back in July 2004, and it will end in February 2008.
The excellent relationship between BAE Systems and the IAF is developing even further with the country’s purchase of Hawk MK132. BAE Systems is helping their Indian counterparts prepare for entry into service of their new trainer which is due to arrive in India in 2007.
Commenting on the success of the training developed for the Indian Air Force students, BAE Systems India Interim Flight Training Manager Rod Harrison said, “The effort and thought that has gone into creation of such a successful training course as the one at RAF Valley has helped engender a lot of confidence in BAE Systems and the RAF amongst our Indian customers, and further enhanced the reputation of Hawk as the world’s most advanced fast jet trainer.
Having the accolade of students going back to their base and being able to step into a SU30 is an enormous compliment. It is a great pat on the back for the quality of our aircraft and our training, and I am sure it is one that bodes well for our future in India.”
The Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer for India contract was signed on the 26th March 2004 to supply 66 Hawk Mk 132 AJTs to the Indian government
BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The Company employs over 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately £14.
8 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.
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