Boeing / BAE Systems T-45 Goshawk Trainer Aircraft - Military Media

Boeing / BAE Systems T-45 Goshawk

Carrier-compatible intermediate and advanced trainer

Militarymedia.net - In 1981 the US Navy selected a modified version of the BAe Hawk trainer as an aircraft component of the T45 Training System. In May 1986, an engineering development contract was awarded to McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing), as the US prime contractor, with BAE Systems (formerly BAe) as the main subcontractor. Two versions were proposed: the wet T-45A equipped for carrier-carried operations and the dry T-45B restricted to ground training and dummy carrier landing practice; last version removed.

The T-45 is based on the fuselage of the basic Hawk Mk 60, but features a new front fuselage that is deepened to accommodate the new dual-wheel gears, a redesigned main gear unit, higher fins and increased span tail plane, one ventral fin, air brake mounted on the side of the fuselage, arrester hooks, and small fins at the front and below the tailplanes. The T-45 also has a full-span front blade plus standard US Navy cockpit instrumentation and radio.

Three prototypes of the T-45 were delivered to the US Navy in October 1990. The first production T-45A made its maiden flight on 16 December 1991 and initial carrier qualification began that same month.

Plans to replace the T-45 engine with an American-made power plant have been debated; The Allied-Signal F124 Turbofan was flight tested in September 1997, without further modifications. Inserted from the 84th production engine, the upgraded T-45C adds a much improved Cockpit 21 digital glass with two multi-function displays; this is being fitted to the previous aircraft. The original total of 268 T-45s was later whittled down to 197 Goshawks. Since the introduction of the T-45, training assignments have been completed with 25 percent fewer flying hours using 42 percent fewer aircraft and 46 percent fewer personnel.

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