What Is The BAE Hawk?
The BAE Hawk. World-renowned jet trainer powering the RAF Red Arrows, praised for excellent handling and weapon training utility.
United Kingdom
Origin
Trainer/light attack
Role
Mach 0.84
Top speed
13,565 m
Service ceiling
BAE Hawk Specifications
The BAE Systems Hawk is a jet trainer and light combat aircraft, with its main claim to fame being the jet powering the Royal Air Force Red Arrows. It’s equipped with a single Rolls-Royce Adour turbofan, capable of hitting Mach 0.84, it provides smooth transonic handling, supercritical wing aerodynamics, and multi-weapon capability.
Performance
Top speed
Mach 0.84 (640 mph)
Service ceiling
44,500 ft (13,565 m)
Combat radius
290 nmi (538 km)
Rate of climb
9,300 ft/min (47 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
2
Length
40 ft 9 in (12.43 m)
Wingspan
32 ft 7 in (9.94 m)
Empty weight
9,880 lbs (4,480 kg)
Engine
1x Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk 951 turbofan
Service
First flight
21 August 1974
Unit cost
$18 - $29 million
Operators
United Kingdom (RAF), India, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Australia
What Weapons Does The BAE Hawk Carry?
Configured with a centreline pod for a 30mm ADEN cannon, the BAE Hawk has four underwing hardpoints carrying 6,800 lbs of weapons, including AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, rocket pods, and Paveway guided bombs.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
ADEN
Category
30 mm Cannon Pod
Loadout
1 centreline pod (120 rounds)
Range
1,800 metres (effective)
AIM-9 Sidewinder
Category
Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 2 missiles
Range
18 km (11 miles)
CRV7 Rocket Pod
Category
70 mm Unguided Rockets
Loadout
Up to 4 pods
Range
6 km (3.7 miles)
Mark 82
Category
General-Purpose Bomb
Loadout
Up to 4 bombs
Range
Gravity released
ASRAAM
Category
Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 2 missiles
Range
50 km (31 miles)
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The BAE Hawk?
The Hawk reaches Mach 0.84, around 638 mph, and can exceed Mach 1 in a dive. It was designed to bridge the gap between basic training and front-line fast jets, so it deliberately behaves like a fighter – responsive, capable of sustained high-G manoeuvring, and demanding enough to prepare pilots for the Typhoon or F-35.
How Was The BAE Hawk Developed?
Hawker Siddeley designed the Hawk to replace the Gnat and Hunter in RAF training. The prototype flew on 21 August 1974 and the type entered service in 1976. The design proved adaptable: the T-45 Goshawk was developed for US Navy carrier training, and later marks added glass cockpits and combat capability.
Has The BAE Hawk Seen Combat?
Armed Hawks have seen combat with Indonesia in Aceh, Zimbabwe in the Congo, and Indian and Malaysian forces in counter-insurgency roles. RAF Hawks were held as emergency air defence fighters during the Cold War, armed with Sidewinders and paired with Phantoms.
Who Operates The BAE Hawk?
More than twenty air forces operate the Hawk, including the UK, India, Australia, Canada, Finland, Saudi Arabia and the United States. Indian licence production by HAL continues, and the type remains the RAF's advanced trainer.
BAE Hawk FAQs
Common questions about the BAE Hawk, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the BAE Hawk as a civilian?
No, the BAE Hawk is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the BAE Hawk?
No, you cannot take the controls of the BAE Hawk, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the BAE Hawk cost?
The BAE Hawk is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Is there a weight or height limit for a jet flight instead of the BAE Hawk?
The BAE Hawk is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the BAE Hawk?
The BAE Hawk is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the BAE Hawk?
The BAE Hawk is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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