Hawk-127 hits 100,000 flying hours

The Royal Australian Air Force’s Hawk-127 aircraft fleet has reached a significant milestone of 100,000 hours of flight time.

CAPTION: A No 76 Squadron Hawk-127 conducts an aerial display at RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett

The Hawk 127 has been the RAAF’s lead in fighter trainer for the past 15 years, training a generation of fighter aircrew for conversion onto Air Combat Group’s front-line fighter aircraft.

Officer Commanding Number 78 Wing, Group Captain Terry van Haren said this considerable milestone has been achieved with the highest professionalism by the men and women of 78 Wing; 76 and 79 Squadrons; and in partnership with BAE Systems Australia and our program subsidiaries.

“100,000 hours is a significant milestone in the life cycle of a fast jet system, and even more significant when it is achieved without loss of an aircraft or aircrew,” Group Captain van Haren said.

“The Royal Australian Air Force, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group and BAE Systems Australia look forward to another 100,000 hours of safe flying in the soon-to-be-upgraded Hawk 127 LIFCAP (Lead-In Fighter Capability Assurance Program) aircraft.”

RAAF will celebrate this major achievement with an event to be held at BAE Systems Williamtown hangar this week.

Two Hawk 127 aircraft, including a upgraded Hawk 127 + LIFCAP will be on static display for the event.

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