ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BAE Systems, Inc. and Rolls-Royce today announced that Rolls-Royce is joining the Hawk Advanced Jet Training System (AJTS) team as an exclusive partner to compete for the U.S. Air Force’s T-X program. As the engine supplier to BAE Systems on this pursuit, Rolls-Royce will lead the support and integration of the Adour Mk951 engine on the Hawk AJTS aircraft.
“Rolls-Royce’s extensive propulsion expertise, coupled with their lengthy relationship with the U.S. Air Force, makes them the perfect choice to integrate their Adour Mk951 engine in the Hawk AJTS aircraft,” said Robert Wood, vice president of BAE Systems’ Hawk Advanced Jet Training System team. “The selection of Rolls-Royce rounds out the Hawk AJTS team as we pursue the T-X program win.”
Rolls-Royce joins BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, and L-3 Link Simulation & Training as the fourth member of the Hawk AJTS team. The team plans to offer the Hawk AJTS as the replacement of the T-38 trainer. The Hawk AJTS is uniquely tailored to meet the training needs of the U.S. Air Force and will be manufactured in the United States with the involvement of a strong U.S. supply chain.
“We are delighted to join the Hawk AJTS team and bring our decades of experience to the program,” said Tom Hartmann, senior vice president of Customer Business at Rolls-Royce Defense. “The Rolls-Royce Adour engine has demonstrated success with 8.6 million flying hours and 200 engines already in service within the U.S. Department of Defense, plus hundreds of others in service around the world. The Hawk AJTS is the affordable, low-risk option, offering proven performance to the U.S. Air Force.”
The Hawk AJTS effectively integrates live and synthetic air- and ground-based elements to successfully train pilots for 5th generation fighters such as the F-35 Lightning II and the F-22 Raptor. It is the world’s only fully-integrated, off-the-shelf system in service today that is ready now to train U.S. Air Force combat pilots. More than just an aircraft, the Hawk AJTS teaches student pilots how to address the critical flow of information, learn to interpret it correctly, and make the right decisions to maintain operational advantage.
Almost 1,000 Hawk aircraft have been sold across the globe, helping produce highly trained pilots in 18 countries for newest-generation aircraft such as Typhoon, F-35 Lightning II, and JAS 39 Gripen. The Hawk aircraft, which is in active production around the world, is the future lead-in trainer for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps’ F-35, and for militaries in the U.K., Canada, and Australia.
About BAE Systems:
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, a global defense, aerospace, and security company. BAE Systems, Inc. employs more than 40,000 and delivers a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions, and customer support services.
About Rolls-Royce:
Rolls-Royce is a global company, providing integrated power solutions for customers in civil and defense aerospace, marine, and energy markets. Rolls-Royce supports customers through a worldwide network of offices, manufacturing, and service facilities.
Rolls-Royce remains the second largest provider of defense aero-engine products and services globally with 18,000 engines in the service of 160 customers in 103 countries. Rolls-Royce engines power aircraft in every major sector including: transport; combat; patrol; trainers; helicopters; and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
