Hawk T2 aircraft completes hot weather trials

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has completed hot weather trials of the Hawk T2 aircraft advanced jet trainer, BAE Systems announced on 2 October.

A pair of Hawk T2 aircraft from the RAF's IV Squadron underwent a series of planned exercises in temperatures reaching 44° Celsius to put the aircraft through its paces in testing conditions. The demonstration included low level sorties and extended taxiing designed to intensify the temperature and prove Hawk's ability to operate in conditions typically found in the summer months in the Gulf.

Peter Kosogorin, a Hawk and Typhoon test pilot from BAE Systems Flight Operations, said: ‘We were exceptionally well supported by the team from the RAF's IV Squadron which enabled us to carry out all the necessary exercises to demonstrate Hawk's capabilities.

‘Not only were we able to show Hawk is capable of carrying out all the necessary exercises at high temperatures, the support team from the RAF consistently turned the aircraft around in under 40 minutes demonstrating its flexibility and efficiency.’