The MoD has confirmed that the UK has sold 72 Harriers with spares and support equipment to the US Marine Corps for £110m ($180m). Two of the Harriers have been kept in Britain to be offered to naval museums.
BAE Systems has announced that Northrop Grumman will be its “manufacturing lead” on the jet trainer it wants to build for the US Air Force’s T-X programme to replace their ageing Northrop T-38s. Company officials from BAE and Northrop argue that their combined experience building jet trainers would make their two-seat Hawk jet the cheapest and best option. Competitors are Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Finmeccanica.
The Finnish Air Force is upgrading 30 of its
Hawks with modern avionics and ‘glass cockpits’ in line with their F-18
Hornets. The FAF has 49 Mk51 and 51A Hawks as well as 18 Mk66s
purchased from Switzerland.