Integration of SA systems into Hawk advances
Date: 20 August 2004
The prototype of the South African Air Force (SAAF) version of the BAE Systems Hawk lead-in fighter-trainer is more than 33% through its flight development programme for the integration of the locally-designed and -manufactured navigation and attack avionics suite into the aircraft. The suite is produced at Advanced Technologies and Engineering, better known as ATE.
"There are some 75 flights in the overall programme and, by last week, we had reached the 38th, with another six or seven scheduled before the end of this month," reveals BAE Systems South African spokesman Linden Birns.
"Just over 70% of the locally-built navigation and radio system test flights have been completed," he adds.
Already, the release of Mk 81 bombs using the ATE navigation/attack suite has been sucessfully tested. This month saw the start of testing of weapons release from the centre fuselage and inboard wing pylons.
Last week, integration of the underfuselage 30 mm Aden cannon pod was started. This week saw the first firing of the cannon on the aircraft, against ground targets.
By the end of the month, air-to-air firing trials will also start, using banner targets towed by other aircraft. And initial work will take place on the flight testing of the SAAF reconnaissance pod on the Hawk.
The more roles the Hawk can fulfil, the less training that will have to be done on the Gripen, so reducing costs.
Meanwhile, at the Denel Aerospace facility in Kempton Park, SAAF Hawk aircraft numbers 2 to 7 are in varying stages of assembly.
The wings have already been married to the fuselage of number 2 (SA 002).
Other Hawks, in kit form, are currently en route from the UK to South Africa, for assembly by Denel.
Ground tests and taxi runs for SA 002 are programmed for the fourth quarter with the first flight on track for January.
Although this will be the second SAAF Hawk to fly, it will be the first locally-assembled one to do so.
"The first delivery to the SAAF is still on schedule for mid-2005," assures Birns. Aircraft will be delivered at a rate of two a month for 12 months.
Engineering Weekly
