Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 19 (IANS) BAE Systems has upgraded to near-front line status its Hawk jet trainer, an aircraft the Indian Air Force (IAF) is in the process of inducting.

“Fast jet pilot training is now more representative of flying front line aircraft than ever before,” the company said in a statement on the software upgrade now being installed on the Hawk TMk2 of the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The upgrade, referred to as “Operational Capability 2 (OC2)”, is “a significant and sophisticated enhancement to the existing software on the RAF’s Hawk TMk2. Designed and developed by BAE Systems engineers, work to install the new software upgrades on the Hawk TMk2 has commenced at RAF Valley, Anglesey”, the statement said.

The software provides the Hawk with simulated radar and sensor capability including a radar warning receiver, defensive aids, and an enhanced weapons suite including medium range air-to-air missiles.

“With the new upgrade the aircraft can also simulate the threat posed by a sophisticated surface-to-air missile site. OC2 is fully integrated with mission planning and debrief systems, which allow the student pilot to plan, train and fly simulated missions using synthetic radar.

“The pilot can also carry out virtual operational manoeuvres to defeat threats using synthetic weapons,” the statement said.

The upgrade “will enable the trainee pilot to train longer in a Hawk before moving their training to front line operational aircraft such as the Tornado, Typhoon and F-35 Lightning II, better preparing the trainee pilots of the future at an affordable cost,” the statement said.

Over 900 Hawk aircraft have been sold, or are on order to date and the aircraft is currently helping produce highly trained pilots across 25 countries.

The IAF is in the process of inducting 106 Hawks, about half of which have been received.