Vayu Aerospace and Defence

Advanced Hawk “for India and the World”

- Angad Singh

T Mk.132 at its Bangalore complex, has also been referred Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) aircraft at the Operationa­l Conversion Unit (OCU) level.

more powerful engine (Adour Mk.951), and a completely redesigned wing with leading edge slats and updated envelope. The cockpit has seen a similar redesign, and now incorporat­es an all-new large area touchscree­n display, aids. Other changes include a full defensive aids suite, expanded weapons capability (including MBDA’s ASRAAM on-board oxygen generation. BAE executives at the show The new wing and increased thrust endow the Advanced for training and combat alike, while the new cockpit layout is not only conducive for better simulation and training, it is also the layout of choice Saab Gripen E and Lockheed Martin F-35.

The key advantage to the programme is introducti­on of new features into a proven airframe, and one that is already “made in (24-month) developmen­t cycle of the soon. The improved capabiliti­es of the activities currently performed on to the OCU phase of training, thereby platforms and either extending their service lives or increasing their availabili­ty for operationa­l tasks instead of training. Conducting air-to-air refueling training, for example, can be done at much lower cost and in a much safer

offers a compelling training platform to the Indian Air Force, training and combat abilities of the aircraft, they feel, expand the type’s potential market. Of course, India is where BAE and comprehens­ive maintenanc­e capability already in place at AFS Bidar and INS Dega, in addition to 3rd and 4th line and supported effectivel­y, with greatest re-use of facilities, equipment and skills, and the aircraft’s establishe­d ‘Make in India’ footprint across the public and private sectors is equally likely to boost its political standing.

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