Warton, United Kingdom – BAE Systems has won a four-year contract worth £111 million from the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) to support and maintain the 28 new Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force.

The contract underlines the company’s capabilities in the area of readiness and sustainment and is the latest in a number of significant military aircraft support contracts awarded by the MOD in the last 12 months. Totalling £1.5 billion the contracts are; Hawk In-Service Support, Harrier Platform Availability Contract (HPAC), Typhoon Availability Service (TAS) and Radar and Defensive Aids Sub Systems (RDASS) for Typhoon. Readiness and sustainment activity accounts for around 40 per cent of BAE Systems’ revenue in 2009.

This latest contract, also known as Hawk In-Service Support (ISS) means that BAE Systems is responsible for ensuring the AJT fleet, also known as Hawk TMk2, is available for training the RAF’s fast jet pilots at RAF Valley. The contract runs until 2014 and builds upon the success that BAE Systems has had supporting the Hawk TMk1 aircraft and other aircraft including the Tornado and Harrier.

The UK’s RAF received the first of its 28 Hawk TMk2 aircraft in the summer of 2009. With 22 aircraft delivered to date the final aircraft will be delivered to the RAF this year.

Martin Rushton, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Training & Hawk UK business, said: “Signature of the Hawk ISS contact represents recognition of BAE Systems’ readiness and sustainment capabilities and is a significant milestone for the joint MOD, RAF and BAE Systems team. This contract provides an effective and flexible service at an affordable price enabling our future pilots to perform their essential training in readiness for future fast jet aircraft including Typhoon and F-35 Lightning II.”

BAE Systems currently supports the RAF’s Hawk TMk1 fleet at RAF Valley on Anglesey in Wales.  

Over 900 Hawk aircraft have been sold, or are on order, and the aircraft is currently helping produce highly trained pilots across 25 countries worldwide. The Hawk produces less noise and emissions than any other jet trainer and has lower acquisition, operating and support costs than any other jet trainer.

Source: BAE