Take a look at the T-7 as BAE Systems, Boeing, and Saab formalise bid for Hawk replacement

Boeing has used the Farnborough International Airshow to outline its plans to offer the T-7 Red Hawk advanced jet trainer to the Royal Air Force.

The US aerospace giant is pitching the advanced jet trainer to meet the RAF's requirement to replace its ageing Hawk T1 and T2 fleets, which are due to leave service in 2030.

At the airshow, BAE Systems, Boeing and Saab all signed a teaming agreement to collaborate on a next-generation pilot training solution for the UK, focused around the T-7.

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The trio, who announced last November that they would work together, said they planned for a new final assembly plant and other facilities to be based in Britain.

If the T-7 is then selected as the Hawk T1 and T2's replacement, the programme could create hundreds of jobs and establish a UK supply chain supporting the aircraft throughout its lifecycle.

Open architecture capabilities

Bret Archer, a Hawk test pilot for BAE Systems, called the T-7 "a very capable replacement".

Speaking to BFBS Forces News, he explained that it is "powered by the same engine as the F-18" and offers a "superior performance to the Hawk".

He said the biggest thing, though, was the capabilities of its open architecture.

"The fact that this large area display... where just ad hoc, in-flight, you can use the touchscreens to create a scenario, with air-to air threats, surface-to-air threats, and also you can do air-to-service targeting.

"The instructor from the rear seat can drop entities onto the ground.

"Then the trainee pilot in the front seat has to find this target, get the coordinates using the laser, and then can prosecute an attack using precise weapons and in air-to-ground mode.

"And it's all simulated on the database, even in the airplane, not just a simulator, you'll see that you'd see it actually generates weapons effects as well for an element of realism."

Training can also be downloaded for other aircrafts too, and through open architecture reconfigured to simulate F-35x, Typhoons, Tempests etc.

In conclusion, Mr Archer said: "I love the Hawk, I've flown it for 25 years now... It's a great airplane I love flying it, but this is the future."