Chief of Air Staff Impressed With UK's Future Jet Trainer

UK Ministry of Defence, WARTON, UK: Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, Chief of Air Staff, has taken the opportunity to fly one of the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (Mk 128) development aircraft from BAE Systems at Warton. 
 
The Hawk AJT will enter service with the UK Ministry of Defence next year, and will train the next generation of RAF and Royal Navy fast jet pilots. The aircraft flown by ACM Torpy, is one of two aircraft being used to develop and test the capabilities and technologies that the fleet will possess when they enter service. 
 
Following his flight in the UK Hawk AJT (RT001), the Chief of Air Staff said: “The flight was excellent – it’s the first time I’ve flown the Mk128 and the difference from the TMk1 currently in service is hugely significant, in performance and especially in terms of avionic capability.” 
 
Mark Parkinson, Managing Director – Training Solutions, BAE Systems said: “To have the Chief of Air Staff fly the UK Hawk AJT was a great opportunity for us to demonstrate the progress we are making on the programme as the Mk128 has the latest generation digital cockpit which brings it right up to date with UK MoD frontline aircraft. CAS’ flight also enabled us to demonstrate that the Hawk AJT is safe and ideally suited to train the future generation of fast jet pilots.” 
 
ACM Torpy added: “The new systems and the FADEC controlled engine all add significant training capability to the well-liked Hawk package. The Mk128 delivers exactly what we are looking for: better performance, systems integration and advanced avionics and will ease the transition of future students to our frontline aircraft.” 
 
BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 96,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15 billion (US $27 billion) in 2006 on a pro forma basis, assuming BAE Systems had owned Armor Holdings Inc for the whole of 2006.