Article Posted on : - Jul 12, 2013

The Australian Hawk. Photo: BAE Systems.

LONDON (BNS): The Minister for Defence Materiel for the Commonwealth of Australia, Dr Mike Kelly, has awarded a £90m contract to BAE Systems for the upgrade of Mk127 Hawk fleet.

Known as Project AIR5438, the upgrade to the Australian Hawk fleet will deliver an enhanced training capability and also encompass the supply of three Full Mission Simulators, RAAF aircrew/ground crew training and support.

The Company has been working closely with the Australian Department of Defence to define the scope of the upgrade, leveraging off previous Hawk programmes and experience.

The upgrade of the Australian Hawk fleet will ensure its effectiveness into the next decade and provides a solid foundation for the progression of aircrew onto the F/A-18 Classic and Super Hornets and the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) when it is introduced into service, it said.