Boeing is competing with
BAES for a Greek Air Force contract to replace their T-2 Buckeye
trainers. Boeing are offering the upgraded T-45C Goshawk with the Adour
951/F405-RR-402 engine, FADEC (full authority digital engine control)
and hot section life increased to 4,000 hrs from 2,000. The VMTS
(virtual mission training system) allows virtual radar, weapons and
network-centric operations training. The T-45C for Greece would still
be built to naval strength standards, and therefore, carries a weight
penalty.
Hawk vs Goshawk For Greece
BAES offers the advanced Adour 951 powered Hawk 128 AJT as ordered by
the RAF. This is the new baseline variant for the export market. The
aircraft has the very latest navigation and avionic systems and new
mission computers allowing the integration of new systems and
capabilities such as autopilot, ground proximity warning, traffic
collision avoidance and moving map. It will also allow a full suite of
simulated weapons and sensors for operational training.
As an interim measure Greece is also looking at the
NFTC (NATO flying Training in Canada) scheme which uses Hawk 115
aircraft. This experience could encourage the Greeks to favour the BAES
option.
Whichever way it goes, Kingston wins again!
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