The first BAE Systems Hawk Mk 166 advanced trainer jet for Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) has completed maiden flight from BAE's War...
The first BAE Systems Hawk Mk 166 advanced trainer jet for Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) has completed maiden flight from BAE's Warton site in Lancashire, UK.
The aircraft (ZB123/161) is the first of eight Hawk Mk.166 twin seat trainer aircraft ordered by Oman in a December 2012 contract with BAE. The £2.5 billion ($4.06 billion) worth contract also included supply of 12 Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role fighter jets.
The new Hawk trainers are likely to replace the RAFO fleet of aged Hawk 100s used for training.
BAE targets to commence delivery of both Eurofighter and Hawk to Oman later this year.
Introduced in 1976, Hawk through its numerous variants has been one of the successful trainer aircraft developed. More than 1000 aircraft has been produced since 1974.
The Hawk is an advanced trainer with a two-man tandem cockpit, a low-mounted cantilever wing and is powered by a single turbofan engine.
The aircraft can also configured for light ground and air to air attack roles, by carrying weapons under its four wing weapons stations and one under-fuselage station.
