DD24.5C,
The Hawk T1 is now 42 years old so what is your point about the age of a type? The ex-Swiss Hunter F58 airframes are very low life and upgrades keep old airframes going for many years. The F58 is capable of 550 KIAS+ at 50 ft ASL and a sustained IMN at 40,000ft of between 0.88 and ~0.96 depending upon external stores configuration and with a respectable sustained turn capability; the Hawk of any Mark has nowhere near this performance and nor does it have the internal space for additional systems. Other platforms with these capabilities cost considerably more to purchase and to operate. The devil is in the detail so beware of pre-conceived ideas!!!
With respect to HHA's contracts, their airframes are UK military registered and their operation is regulated by the MAA. If they did not have contracts that were in the interest of UK MoD they would not be able to operate the aircraft with such registration. And please tell us more about what made you chuckle about the Air Clues article.
JustT,
Sweeping the wing back does indeed move the aerodynamic centre (lift) aft but that is to increase the static margin (distance between the c.g and the aerodynamic centre) in order to increase the longitudinal static and manoeuvre stabilities. There is an interesting historical precedent for this - the Short Sunderland had the same done for the same reason (and the engine mounts were not modified so the thrust lines are angled outwards from the longitudinal fuselage datum).
Out Of Trim,
You are correct that sweeping the wings aft will move the overall mass distribution aft but that mass is a very small percentage of the whole whereas the lift acting at the aerodynamic centre essentially equals the AUW of the aircraft in 1g flight.
Last edited by LOMCEVAK; 17th Jul 2016 at 23:44.