Article Posted on : - Apr 01, 2010

Advanced Jet Trainer. Photo BAE System

WARTON, UK (BNS) : UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a contract of £111 million to BAE system, for supporting and maintaining the 28 new Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force.

BAE Systems latest contract with UK MoD, for Hawk In-Service Support (ISS) makes it responsible for ensuring the AJT fleet, also known as Hawk TMk2. The support is available for training the RAF's fast aircraft pilots at RAF Valley.

The UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) received the first of its 28 Hawk TMk2 aircraft in the summer of 2009. 22 aircraft has been delivered till date, and the final deliveries will be done this year.

"The 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 aircraft including Typhoon and F-35 Lightning II," Martin Rushton, Managing Director of BAE Systems' Training & Hawk UK business said in a news release.

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 to produce highly trained pilots across 25 countries worldwide. The Hawk has lower acquisition, operating and support costs than any other aircraft trainer.

UK MoD has awarded a series of contracts to BAE System in last 12 months costing £1.5 billion overall.