RAF Hawk T2s at RAF Valley have been affected by an engine problem that the MoD says could impact fast-jet pilot training output for three years. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
UK military flight training will be affected by a problem found with the powerplant of the BAE Systems Hawk T2 jet, with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) saying that the effects will last until the end of 2025.
Answering a question in the House of Commons on 14 September, Minister of State Alec Shelbrooke said that a fault had been identified with the jet engine of the Hawk T2 that the MoD uses for its Advanced Fast Jet Training (AFJT) programme, and that initial assessments suggest an impact on fast-jet training output for the next three years.
“A fault has been identified with the Rolls-Royce/Safran Adour 951 engine, which powers the Hawk T2. The fault affects the components contained in the Safran-manufactured Module 1 of the engine, also known as the low-pressure compressor. As a precaution, a number of engines have been temporarily removed from service whilst the Ministry of Defence supports a Rolls-Royce/Safran investigation into the root cause and rectification. While this has reduced current aircraft availability, fast-jet training is continuing at RAF [Royal Air Force] Valley,” Shelbrooke said. “Initial assessments suggest the reduction in aircraft availability will have an impact on UK fast-jet training output over the next three years, but work is ongoing to minimise that impact.”
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