So what will be the next trainer?
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You obviously do not understand the UK Government and MOD procedures.
What we will eventually get is a zero fatigue lifed 21st century advanced (re)winged Hawk with hardpoint capability, boasting an upgraded or a different powerplant, zero timed fuselage, a state of the art instrumentation and defensive suite that will cost us more than a new fresh built aircraft.
While also taking years to finally take to the air, as BAe squeeze's every last pound out of the UK coffers.
Then they will give it a flashy name to hide the fact they have simply regurgitated the old Hawk... something like Advanced Hawk or 21st Century Hawk. And finally produce a flashy brochure to sell it to us all.
Rather like what they did to Puma.
What we will eventually get is a zero fatigue lifed 21st century advanced (re)winged Hawk with hardpoint capability, boasting an upgraded or a different powerplant, zero timed fuselage, a state of the art instrumentation and defensive suite that will cost us more than a new fresh built aircraft.
While also taking years to finally take to the air, as BAe squeeze's every last pound out of the UK coffers.
Then they will give it a flashy name to hide the fact they have simply regurgitated the old Hawk... something like Advanced Hawk or 21st Century Hawk. And finally produce a flashy brochure to sell it to us all.
Rather like what they did to Puma.
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: The 24th & a Half Century
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Attended a RAeS lecture last night by the Aeralis Chief Engineer.
Design is pretty much frozen, Hamble Aerostructures have done all the airframe CAD work (traditional aluminium airframe, very little composites), systems design is well advanced.
Change from mid to low wing followed wind tunnel work to reduce drag, and increase speed for aggressor role.
Expected that most aircraft will stay in the format they are built in with little role change in use.
Much emphasis on life cost savings if there's a mixed fleet of trainer/aggressor etc.
Options for easy change of engine as new designs mature.
Core aircraft is up to 85% common across versions.
Aiming for 55mins/flying hour maintenance - 92% availabilty.
It appears they just need someone to order it...
Design is pretty much frozen, Hamble Aerostructures have done all the airframe CAD work (traditional aluminium airframe, very little composites), systems design is well advanced.
Change from mid to low wing followed wind tunnel work to reduce drag, and increase speed for aggressor role.
Expected that most aircraft will stay in the format they are built in with little role change in use.
Much emphasis on life cost savings if there's a mixed fleet of trainer/aggressor etc.
Options for easy change of engine as new designs mature.
Core aircraft is up to 85% common across versions.
Aiming for 55mins/flying hour maintenance - 92% availabilty.
It appears they just need someone to order it...
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