Asturias
When the USAF launched the T-X process, a couple of Hawk T2s were flown to the States (2011). The T-X requirements were pretty much written to exclude the Hawk (and they were always going to buy American). That was the time that BAE could and should have taken it more seriously. Maybe a modular concept then might have gained traction based on affordability.
The problem is that a requirement like the USAF T-X programme needs an actual aircraft.
When talking about Aeralis, what’s the performance like? What’s the mission architecture? What sensor simulation will it have? How will it support 5th gen and onwards training?
So many questions and still zero answers. They wouldn’t even be able to tell you which MFDs they’d put in it and whether it would have a HUD in the back seat.
I’m a big fan of the Hawk and I’m still intimately involved with it. I also have a soft spot for BAE (they paid my wages for a few years after all!) but their best shot is obviously now the T7. Let’s see how that progresses.
Once again, please prove me wrong Aeralis and I’ll gladly eat my words.
BV