BAe Hawk T.2

BAE Systems · United Kingdom · first flew 2007 · fighter

The Hawk T.2 (export designation Hawk 128) is the advanced lead-in fighter trainer variant for the RAF, featuring a glass cockpit optimised for transitioning students to Typhoon and F-35.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, swept
E — Engines	1 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	12.43 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Noticeably longer and sharper nose housing the FLIR and avionics bay — about 0.5 m longer than T.1
Wider-chord fin with a prominent leading-edge root fillet extending well down the spine
Glass cockpit with large MFD screens visible through the broad bubble canopy

Longer and sharper nose immediately separates it from the T.1; the wide fin fillet and cleaner cockpit profile confirm the T.2. Overall fuselage length is visibly greater than any T.1.

Specifications

The BAe Hawk T.2 has a length of 12.43 m (41 ft).
It has a wingspan of 9.94 m (33 ft).
Its maximum speed is 1028 km/h (639 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Ordered in 2004 under the UK Military Flying Training System contract, the T.2 entered service at RAF Valley in 2009. The type introduced a completely new avionics suite with hands-on-throttle-and-stick controls and a synthetic-aperture radar simulation capability.

Variants

Exported as the Hawk 128 to several nations; a further developed Hawk 167 was offered but not ordered. The T.2 replaced T.1As in the advanced training role at Valley.

Where you'll see it

Operated exclusively by No. 4 FTS at RAF Valley, Wales, providing advanced fast-jet and lead-in fighter training for RAF and RN pilots destined for Typhoon and F-35B.

Related aircraft

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