The Hindu Business Line : Hawk enters flight development programme

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Bangalore Feb. 17 Hawk, the British advanced jet trainer aircraft destined for the IAF, has entered the Indian flight development programme, according to its vendor, BAE Systems.

The first Indian Hawk is slated for delivery in September 2007 after flight tests in the UK.

The Indian version, HT001, first flew in December 2006.

It has undergone its production flight acceptance tests. It is currently being used to try the second and third phases of the avionics developmental flight programme, a BAE release said.

The first phase was carried out on the BAE plane.

Also to be developed on HT001 are capabilities such as navigation, radio navigation, instrument landing system and air-to-ground and air-to-air tactical air navigation, radar altimeter, communication, identification, air-to-ground and air-to-air weapon aiming; cockpit architecture and ergonomics.

It will undergo ground tests, including cockpit lighting, and ingress and egress tests. As IAF and Royal Air Force use different footwear, HT001 will also include changes to the rudder pedal configuration.

BAE will directly build and deliver the first batch of 22 Hawks — which are to replace the ageing MiG-21 trainers.

Bangalore-based HAL is to make the remaining 42.