BAE Systems Hawk

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Jet Trainer / Light Attack

BAE Systems Hawk

Britain’s long-serving jet trainer and light attack aircraft

The BAE Systems Hawk is a British advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft built by BAE Systems, in RAF service since 1976. More than 1,000 have been delivered to about 18 air forces, and the Red Arrows fly it.

United Kingdom|BAE Systems
1,038 km/hMax Speed2,500 kmRange14,000 mService Ceiling2Crew7HardpointsIn ProductionStatus

What Is the BAE Systems Hawk? Overview, History and Development

The Hawk was developed by Hawker Siddeley, then British Aerospace and BAE Systems, and first flew on 21 August 1974. RAF service began in 1976. It is built at Brough and Warton. The Hawk T1 uses an Adour Mk 151 engine of about 23 kN, while the Hawk 128, the RAF Hawk T2, uses an Adour Mk 951 of about 29 kN with a digital glass cockpit. Top speed is about 1,038 km/h, and the Hawk 100 and 200 series can carry up to 3,000 kg of weapons.

More than 1,000 Hawks have been delivered since 1976 to about 18 air forces. Operators include the UK, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Finland, Kenya, South Africa, Canada and the US Navy’s T-45 Goshawk. HAL has built the Hawk Mk132 in India since 2008, with about 100 ordered. The Red Arrows fly the Hawk T1, which the RAF plans to keep to around 2030. Price is about US$20 to 25 million for the Hawk 128, an estimate.

BAE Systems Hawk
Photo: Alan Wilson / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

BAE Systems Hawk Specifications: Speed, Range, Engines and Armament

ManufacturerBAE Systems
CountryUnited Kingdom
Entered Service1976
First Flight1974
StatusIn Production
Crew2
Length12.4 m
Wingspan9.9 m
Height4.1 m
EngineAdour Mk 951
Thrust29 kN
Max Takeoff Weight9,100 kg
Max Speed1,038 km/h
Ferry Range2,500 km
Service Ceiling14,000 m
Hardpoints7
Units Built1,000+

BAE Systems Hawk Variants and Versions Compared

Hawk T1

The Hawk T1 is the original RAF trainer with the Adour Mk 151 engine and the Red Arrows’ aircraft.

Hawk 128 (T2)

The Hawk 128, or RAF Hawk T2, has a digital glass cockpit and a stronger Adour Mk 951 engine.

Hawk 200

The Hawk 200 is a single-seat multirole fighter flown by Malaysia, Oman and Indonesia.

Which Countries Use the BAE Systems Hawk? Operators and Users

United KingdomAustraliaBahrainCanadaFinlandIndiaIndonesiaKenyaKuwaitMalaysiaOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaSouth AfricaUAEUnited States

BAE Systems Hawk FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions

How much does a BAE Hawk cost?

A BAE Hawk 128 costs about US$20 to 25 million per aircraft, according to estimates. Prices vary with the version and the training package.

How fast is the BAE Hawk?

The BAE Systems Hawk has a top speed of about 1,038 km/h, around Mach 0.84 at altitude. Its service ceiling is 14,000 m and its ferry range is about 2,500 km.

Which countries use the BAE Hawk?

The UK, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Finland, Kenya, South Africa, Canada and the US use Hawk or Hawk-derived trainers.

Do the Red Arrows fly the Hawk?

Yes, the Red Arrows fly the BAE Hawk T1. The RAF plans to keep the T1 in service to about 2030. The RAF’s aerobatic team has used the aircraft for decades, and the newer Hawk T2 serves in the RAF’s advanced training role.

Hawk vs M-346: which is better?

The Hawk is a proven trainer with a very large operator base, while the Leonardo M-346 is newer, supersonic and more fighter-like. Both compete in export training programs.

Does Türkiye or any Arab country use the Hawk?

Türkiye does not operate the Hawk, but Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE do. Saudi Arabia operates about 50 or more Hawks.