BT001, piloted by BAE Systems test pilot Pete Wilson, successfully completed a 73-minute flight over the Irish Sea. Wilson commented: 'We ran through elements of the normal production air test and avionics shakedown, and it all went very smoothly.'
The aircraft, BT001, is the first of 6 Hawk Mk129s being built by BAE Systems for the RBAF. The aircraft is an updated Mk127 standard, originally supplied to the Royal Australian Air Force.
The first two aircraft will initially go to the Technical Academy at Warton, where they will be used as part of a six-month training course for Bahraini aircraft technicians, before being ferried to Bahrain. All six aircraft will be delivered by December 2006.
'BAE Systems Air Systems is manufacturing the Hawks as part of a package of equipment and training to enable the RBAF to operate an Air Training Wing which will take in raw recruits and train them as pilots before progressing to its F16 aircraft. Some recruits will stream onto a separate helicopter training programme,' said Mark Simpkins, BAE Systems Director, Bahrain.
BAE Systems Customer Solutions & Support's international arm is managing a four-phase approach to creating the Air Training Wing. The RBAF has adopted a two-aircraft - Slingsby Firefly and Hawk - approach and will use simulation to bridge the gap, rather than the customary turbo-prop element. Only Finland and New Zealand have implemented this two-aircraft approach before.
'Although there are four separate phases to this programme, we are working closely with the customer to ensure one fully-integrated high-quality training solution, to meet his requirement of developing an indigenous aviation training capability' says programme director Mark Greenhalgh.
'Our aim is to continue assisting and supporting the customer throughout the lifetime of their flying training system.'
BAE Systems test-flies first RBAF Hawk
The first of six Hawk 129s destined for the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) has made its first flight at Warton in the United Kingdom.
- Bahrain: Sunday, September 11 - 2005 at 11:02
- PRESS RELEASE
- ADD ARTICLE TO
-
Facebook
del.icio.us
Digg
Log in to request more information from BAE SYSTEMSNotes and media contacts
The four phases for the Bahrain Air Training Wing comprise the following elements:Phase 1. Delivery of pilot aptitude testing equipment
Phase 2. Supply of three Slingsby Firefly T67M260 aircraft for primary and basic training, three instructor pilots, one field service representative and a support package.
Phase 3. Provision of synthetics (full dome simulator plus avionics part task trainer) to provide the bridge from Firefly to advanced jet training. Also included are two simulator training instructors, one simulator technician, technician training, courseware and three instructor pilots.
Phase 4. Delivery of six Hawks for advanced training plus a comprehensive two-year support package including field service representatives and technical support.
About BAE Systems:
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years and is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems. 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.
For further information, please contact:
Jayne Thomson, BAE SYSTEMS Middle East
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384 841
Issued by:
MCS/Action: Tel: +9714 390 2960; fax: +9714 3908161.
On behalf of:
BAE SYSTEMS, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK.
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384605 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
Posted by Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News EditorSunday, September 11 - 2005 at 11:02 UAE local time (GMT+4)
Replication or redistribution in whole or in part is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AME Info FZ LLC / Emap Limited.
Index : Company News : BAE SYSTEMS
Browse related articles
Browse related articlesToday's most read articles:
Most read articles the past week:
Disclaimer:
Articles in this section are primarily provided directly by the companies appearing or PR agencies which are solely responsible for the content. The companies concerned may use the above content on their respective web sites provided they link back to http://www.ameinfo.com
Any opinions, advice, statements, offers or other information expressed in this section of the AME Info Web site are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of AME Info FZ LLC / Emap Limited. AME Info FZ LLC / Emap Limited is not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy or reliability of any material, advice, opinion or statement in this section of the AME Info Web site.
For details about submitting your stories, please read the guide - all content published is subject to our terms and conditions
Articles in this section are primarily provided directly by the companies appearing or PR agencies which are solely responsible for the content. The companies concerned may use the above content on their respective web sites provided they link back to http://www.ameinfo.com
Any opinions, advice, statements, offers or other information expressed in this section of the AME Info Web site are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of AME Info FZ LLC / Emap Limited. AME Info FZ LLC / Emap Limited is not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy or reliability of any material, advice, opinion or statement in this section of the AME Info Web site.
For details about submitting your stories, please read the guide - all content published is subject to our terms and conditions
Web Feeds