'Combat Hawk' Aircraft by Next Year's 'Aero India'

[Zarvan]

NEW DELHI: The combat version of Advanced Jet Trainer, Hawk aircraft, is likely to be showcased in the next year's Aero India, a biennial air show of India.

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is hoping that the 'Combat Hawk' will be an ideal export product besides being used domestically.

Highly placed sources said a foreign country has already evinced interest in the product.

They said that such an aircraft, slower than a fighter jet, can be useful for operations in forested areas and in low mountains. Moreover, many countries cannot afford to spend big on bigger fighter aircraft and hence the project has a lot of export potential.

"Combat Hawk" involves fitting air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground guns besides rockets and bombs to the aircraft which is currently used as trainer aircraft for fighter pilots before they enter an actual fighter jet.

HAL had last year signed an MoU with BAE Systems UK for upgradation of Hawk Mk132, development of Combat Hawk for Indian and export markets and maintenance solutions for supporting Jaguar and Hawk fleet.

The aircraft has the capabilities to be used as a ground attack aircraft or for air defence.

The aircraft is being produced at HAL under licence from BAE. The first aircraft was handed over to IAF in August 2008.

Production program of 42 Hawks to IAF was concluded in 2011-12. Further, second contract was signed between IAF and HAL in July 2010 for supply of forty of Hawk AJT and associated equipment.

'Combat Hawk' aircraft by next year's 'Aero India' - The Economic Times

 

[Oracle 33]

Ideal for naxalites

Also killing poachers

 

[#hydra#]

Ideal for naxalites

Also killing poachers

Kill all the m****r f*****g poachers....

 

[Brahmaputra Mail]

Ideal for naxalites

Also killing poachers

Naxalites are slowly moving into urban sphere, like JNU, AMU and Osmania University.

 

[Oracle 33]

Naxalites are slowly moving into urban sphere, like JNU, AMU and Osmania University.

They must be targeted and made a example out of but the key issue is land. Tribals must be given a voice and industrial fat cats should not be allowed to buy her land or ruin agricultural fertile land just to make money.

 

[Defence News]

Source:- defenceupdate.in
Combat Hawk:- Weaponizing HAL BUILT Hawk Trainer Aircraft

The Indian Air Force (IAF), facing a severe shortage of fighter aircraft, will have the opportunity to boost its combat strength with an unusual asset fitting guns and rockets on Hawk trainer aircraft, bought for training IAF pilots before they entered the cockpits of high performance fighters like the MiG-21.

On Tuesday, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and UK-headquartered BAE Systems (BAE), agreed to explore the development of a “Combat Hawk” which could even be exported to friendly foreign countries.

India already has the world’s largest fleet of Hawk Mk 132 advanced jet trainers (AJTs). The IAF and navy have 123 Hawks on order, of which 90 are already in service, training their pilots. While HAL builds the remaining 33 in Bengaluru under licence from BAE, the IAF is contracting for another 20 Hawks for its superlative aerobatics display team, which so far flew the Kiran Mark II.
The Hawk AJT already has advanced avionics, including digital cockpit displays that allow trainee pilots to practice navigation, the use of sensors like radar, and to fire weapons. Transforming this into a “Combat Hawk” involves fitting air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground guns, rockets and bombs. The Hawk Mk132 has seven wing stations for mounting weapons and reconnaissance equipment. These weapons need to be integrated with the avionics of the aircraft.

Such “light attack aircraft” are adapt at several missions that high-performance fighters are ill suited to perform. Flying slower, their pilots get more time to identify targets, especially over jungle terrain, or when targets are camouflaged. In mountains, accuracy is extremely important because even narrowly missing a target on a sharp ridge line means the bomb or rocket strikes harmlessly, hundreds of feet below. Light attack aircraft allow greater accuracy.

The increasing national concerns with in the country with terrorists and the barbaric attacks by naxals has always time and again stressed the need for air support to ground forces within the country by the means of Light Attack fighter. The ongoing naxal operations have always required a decent Light Attack CAS fighter to give support to the force within the country.
IAF initially had drawn up plans to procure a COIN (counter intelligence) Aircraft to deal in demanding time. But a detailed feasibility study completes by IAF the HAWK have emerged as the best option. This plan can be realized only if the British based BAE system gives India a go ahead to Arm these trainer jets which have served IAF as an AJT. The IAF formally has sent a letter of request to BAE systems in regard to arming these AJT. With HAL having experience in arming jets has formally forwarded a plan of action to BAE systems and the same was proposed and showcased in Aero India – 2105. With BAE systems showing interest in the project HAL may receive a go ahead soon to arm the jets giving a major thrust to the dipping fighting squadron numbers.
Besides accuracy, affordability is another big plus for light attack aircraft. Many countries cannot afford to buy or operate fighters. The Afghan Air Force will fly 20 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft for counter-insurgency (COIN) operations against the Taliban. Meanwhile, the United States Special Operations Command is also buying a fleet of similar aircraft for its “light air support” programme.

The defence ministry has not yet announced a plan to acquire or operate light attack aircraft. India’s military has been historically reluctant to use combat aircraft in COIN operations, given the potential for collateral damage.
If Project is completed successfully India will become a export hub for the Hawk. Saudi Arabia and Oman, which are inducting the Eurofighter Typhoon, are likely to demand Hawk trainers. India could position itself to address those markets.
Source:- defenceupdate.in
Content of post is taken from this website.Don't forget to visit this site

 

[4GTejasBVR]

Tejas has very impressive low flying profile. Why not we use them for army integrated air arms? Along with weaponised hawks as cover for them?

 

[Penguin]

Hawk 128 is a version of the Hawk 100, a two-seat advanced weapons trainer with additional avionics, an optional forward looking infrared, a redesigned wing and HOTAS. Armament is optional. The aircraft can accommodate a wide variety of external stores on 7 hard points with a possible 12 types of combinations to carry the stores. It could comprise.

• 1× 30 mm ADEN cannon, in centreline pod
• Up to 6,800 lb (3,085 kg) of weapons on five hardpoints, including:
  • 4× AIM-9 Sidewinder or ASRAAM on wing pylons and wingtip rails

These would be fitted with the same weapons as the IAF’s Jaguars, which are being modernized; the weapons include MBDA Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (Amraam), Rafael Litening targeting pods, and a range of smart weapons, including laser-guided bombs and possible the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), a laser-guided 70mm rocket.

 

[Abingdonboy]

NEW DELHI: The combat version of Advanced Jet Trainer, Hawk aircraft, is likely to be showcased in the next year's Aero India, a biennial air show of India.

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is hoping that the 'Combat Hawk' will be an ideal export product besides being used domestically.

Highly placed sources said a foreign country has already evinced interest in the product.

They said that such an aircraft, slower than a fighter jet, can be useful for operations in forested areas and in low mountains. Moreover, many countries cannot afford to spend big on bigger fighter aircraft and hence the project has a lot of export potential.

"Combat Hawk" involves fitting air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground guns besides rockets and bombs to the aircraft which is currently used as trainer aircraft for fighter pilots before they enter an actual fighter jet.

HAL had last year signed an MoU with BAE Systems UK for upgradation of Hawk Mk132, development of Combat Hawk for Indian and export markets and maintenance solutions for supporting Jaguar and Hawk fleet.

The aircraft has the capabilities to be used as a ground attack aircraft or for air defence.

The aircraft is being produced at HAL under licence from BAE. The first aircraft was handed over to IAF in August 2008.

Production program of 42 Hawks to IAF was concluded in 2011-12. Further, second contract was signed between IAF and HAL in July 2010 for supply of forty of Hawk AJT and associated equipment.

'Combat Hawk' aircraft by next year's 'Aero India' - The Economic Times

This development continues to make to no sense to me, I have yet to see a credible narrative of a) how the IAF intends to operate "combat Hawks" or b) where they intend to use them/how it fits with their operational doctrine.

a) Who will be fying them? From reports it seems as though some from the existing orders for MK.132 AJTs are going to be converted to "Combat Hawks". Does this mean the IAF intially overstated their requirement for AJTs (seems unlikely given the growing demand to increase pilots)? If not it means that the IAF is going to be diverting Hawks from the trainer role to the "Combat" role or existing training units will have "combat Hawks" for dual role but this begs the question who will fly them in a time of conflict? On a day to day basis Hawk AJTs are being flown by rookies and instructors- both are not offically in the "combat stream". It seems like a very ad hoc effort.

b) I've heard again and again anytime a slow moving armed aircraft is poposed for service by the IAF that they should be used on the Naxals or in Kashmir along the LoC but this is all fanboy stuff- the armed forces have NEVER been used in either domain to provide aerial firepower. And I don't see this doctrine changing anytime soon so what exactly is the role of these "Combat Hawks"? When will they be used?


It all seems like a complete waste of money and time to me.


@PARIKRAMA @Ankit Kumar @anant_s @MilSpec @nair @Koovie @SpArK @sathya @SrNair @Taygibay @AUSTERLITZ @Penguin @Levina maybe you can decipher this mystery.

 

[Ankit Kumar]

This development continues to make to sense to me, I have yet to see a credible narrative of a) how the IAF intends to operate "combat Hawks" or b) where they intend to use them/how it fits with their operational doctrine.

a) Who will be fying them? From reports it seems as though some from the existing orders for MK.132 AJTs are going to be converted to "Combat Hawks". Does this mean the IAF intially overstated their requirement for AJTs (seems unlikely given the growing demand to increase pilots)? If not it means that the IAF is going to be diverting Hawks from the trainer role to the "Combat" role or existing training units will have "combat Hawks" for dual role but this begs the question who will fly them in a time of conflict? On a day to day basis Hawk AJTs are being flown by rookies and instructors- both are not offically in the "combat stream". It seems like a very ad hoc effort.

b) I've heard again and again anytime a slow moving armed aircraft is poposed for service by the IAF that they should be used on the Naxals or in Kashmir along the LoC but this is all fanboy stuff- the armed forces have NEVER been used in either domain to provide aerial firepower. And I don't see this doctrine changing anytime soon so what exactly is the role of these "Combat Hawks"? When will they be used?


It all seems like a complete waste of money and time to me.


@PARIKRAMA @Ankit Kumar @anant_s @MilSpec @nair @Koovie @SpArK @sathya @SrNair @Taygibay @AUSTERLITZ @Penguin @Levina maybe you can decipher this mystery.

I feel it will be one of the things, developed but not used. Export is the only thing which might see these in action.

 

[Abingdonboy]

I feel it will be one of the things, developed but not used. Export is the only thing which might see these in action.

This can be the only logical avenue.

 

[sathya]

AJT can be converted to combat mode as and when necessary is what I read in the past..

Are they developing this conversion capability ?

I even thought a squad to sarang team itself is a expensive allocation.

After seeing about making the unnecessary combat version,
it seems HAL is well versed with Hawk jets,
they want to keep making it, in whatever form .

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Its a competitor to Scorpion (textron airland Scorpion) which USA had offered to India..
Basically its a low cost option with an ability to give CAS with primary focus on recon, intelligence and surveillance.. Primarily it helps them lower operational cost in campaigns or pre campaigns due to it bringing low CPFH principle..

Some other claims includes Hawks as a complement to Jaguars,, perhaps indicating its low altitude ability + ability to provide CAS and do missions as i had mentioned above..

See this 2 quotes
The Hawk had originally been designed as a trainer with a weapons training capability that could also be used as a light combat aircraft, but wasn't really suited for demanding combat duties..

From 2015, a program was set up between HAL and BAE to weaponize the Hawk AJTs, as a complement to India's SEPECAT Jaguar strike aircraft fleet.
The BAE Hawk

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

Combat hawk thing seems to me to be a bluff,basically something given as description by IAF as added incentive for ministry to push through the deal.AJT role is what its needed for.

 

[Umair Nawaz]

That's bad news for the goats, because we know what you do when you see a goat:

u idiot, that drone footage is from afghanistan. I saw that 4-5 years ago for the first time.
@Horus ban this idiot.