Work on the first two aircraft to be modified under the validation and verification phase of the RAAF’s Hawk Mk.127 Lead In Fighter Capability Assurance (LIF CAP) program is now underway at Williamtown.
The upgrade, being carried out under Air 5438 Phase 1A, will eventually see all 33 of the RAAF’s Hawk Lead-In Fighter Trainers modified to an almost identical standard to the UK’s new-build Hawk Mk.128 aircraft.
The project is designed to ensure the LIFT capability is sufficient to meet the requirements of trainees progressing from legacy platforms – and in the future, the graduates of the Pilot Training System delivered by Air 5428 – to 5th generation combat aircraft such as the F-35A Lightning.
HAWK Mk.127 The RAAF purchased 33 BAE Systems Hawk Mk.127 aircraft and a static test airframe in the late 1990s, with most of them assembled at BAE Systems Australia’s Williamtown facility.
The aircraft was acquired under Project Air 5367 to replace the elderly Macchi MB326H and prepare graduates of the training pipeline who were destined to fly fast jets for the upgraded cockpits of Australia’s F-111C and F/A-18A/B Hornet combat aircraft.
The Hawk Mk.127 differed significantly from earlier versions, with the integration of equipment such as three colour multi-function displays (MFD) in each cockpit, a head-up display (HUD) and hands on throttle and stick (HOTAS) switching functions , designed to emulate the ‘classic’ Hornet cockpit as closely as possible.
Other changes included provision for a radar warning receiver (RWR) and a (bolt-on) air to air refuelling capability.
LIF CAP scope Air 5438 Phase 1A was approved in 2013 and will add an advanced mission computer and OFP software package to bring the Hawk Mk.127 up to the same standard as the Mk.128, also referred to in the UK as the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT).
These modifications are largely ‘beneath the skin’ and the only physical changes noticeable in the upgraded aircraft cockpit will be a couple of new switch panels commensurate with the enhanced functionality.
Because the upgraded RAAF Hawks will retain their live weapons capability (the RAF Hawk Mk.128 is not armed and relies on a virtual weapons capability for training purposes), some software and symbology changes are required and the Australian aircraft will utilise a datalink manufactured by Ultra, rather than the IAI equipment of their British counterparts.
The Hawk Mk.127 has a radar simulator capability which is mission role equipment, installed when required. LIF CAP aircraft will retain this feature and add a radar simulator, embedded in the new mission computer software.
LI CAP will also introduce a simulated Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) in the mission computer software.
The modifications are overseen by the Tactical Fighter Service Program Office (TFSPO) at Williamtown and there are three major components.
The first is the modification of the air vehicle itself, which will be carried out in Australia and bring the aircraft up to a standard based on the Hawk Mk.128.
The RAF Hawk Mk.128s are new-build aircraft and roll out of the factory with all the equipment installed, so initial work for LIF CAP has included the development of an upgrade ‘kit’ for retrofit into the Hawk Mk.127 here in Australia.
The second component is the acquisition of three new simulators, to be installed at the Hawk’s two main operating bases at Williamtown and Pearce.
Finally an Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation (ACMI) pod will be added and although this aspect is still being finalised it will most likely be the next generation pod currently fitted to the RAAF Super Hornet fleet.
Because there are two configurations within the Hawk Mk.127 fleet (one aircraft is configured for flight instrumentation equipment and used in the development of the original capability), two aircraft were selected to undergo validation and verification testing ahead of the main medication program getting underway.
Prime contractor for this work is BAE Systems in the UK, with the work being undertaken on their behalf by BAE Systems Australia at their Williamtown facility.
The LIF CAP program is designed to ensure the Hawk LIFT system remains relevant through to the planned withdrawal date sometime in the mid to late 2020s.
Timeline The first validation and verification aircraft was inducted into the Williamtown facility on March 17, followed by the second a week later on March 24.
The two validation and verification aircraft are due to be completed in November, with flight trials set to begin in December following an Airworthiness Board review towards the end of the year.
Flight trials will be carried out in two phases, with the first conducted through late 2014 and into early 2015. A second phase, to be carried out in late 2015 and early 2016, will iron out any software bugs encountered during the earlier testing and move to the formal acceptance flight testing.
The modification of the remainder of the fleet will begin either late in 2015 or early in 2016 and although the contractor has not yet been selected the work will be undertaken in Australia.
Initial deliveries will be to 76 Squadron at Williamtown, to allow the first Introductory Fighter Course to begin early in 2017. The first course undertaken by 79 Sqn at Pearce is scheduled to begin in mid 2017.
“That’s ahead of our actual government obligation, which is to achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in mid 2017, so we’re aiming to better that,” Matt Hall, LIF CAP manager at TFSPO predicted.
Simulators One of the major components of the LIF CAP is the provision of three full mission simulators, which will be delivered from 2016.
The simulators will be manufactured by CAE under contract to BAE Systems, with the Australian-specific high definition visual system to be developed by Boeing.
The first simulator is due to have been delivered and installed at Williamtown by mid-2016 to allow acceptance and qualification testing to begin in the third quarter of the year. The second system will be delivered to Pearce in the second quarter of 2017 and the third unit will go to Williamtown in the third quarter of the same year.
“The induction of the first two aircraft for AIR 5438 embodiment is a major milestone for the project and a credit to the partners involved, Air Force, DMO and BAE Systems,” noted Group Captain Bernard Grealy, Officer Commanding 78 Wing at the formal induction ceremony for the validation and verification aircraft on March 26.
“The upgrade will maintain the Hawk at the leading edge of fast jet lead in fighter training and support our transition to fifth generation fighter aircraft technology.”
