Hawk 200: Wings of Prey!

Today we’ll be taking a look at a long awaited British strike aircraft, joining the game in the next major update. Meet the Hawk 200!

Vehicle History

The BAE Hawk was the end result of a requirement to replace the Gnat jet trainer with a suitable training platform, as the Jaguar was too complex for student pilots. With the first flight taking place in 1974, the Hawk quickly proved itself a reliable platform. Entering RAF service just two years later in 1976 as the Hawk T.1. It wasn’t long before the export potential of the Hawk, not just as a trainer, but as a multirole fighter became clear. Further developments of the series resulted in many specific variants for different nations including India, Canada, Finland, Switzerland and even the USA. Over 18 nations have operated the Hawk and over 1000+ of all variants combined have been built.

First taking to the skies in 1986, the Hawk 200 series focused on providing a lightweight multirole strike fighter to the export markets. Unlike the training variants, this version was a single seat aircraft with a much larger nose area. This reworked nose could optionally accommodate an AN/APG-66H radar or “Night Attack” configuration on other 200 series variants as desired by potential customers. As well as the British demonstration and development aircraft, the Hawk 200 has been operated by Indonesia, Malaysia and Oman.

Introducing the Hawk 200!

Today we welcome a much anticipated aircraft to the ranks of the British tree! The Hawk 200 series jet will be joining the game in the Spearhead major update. This multirole strike aircraft will provide a reliable and deadly strike aircraft, while also having the dual use of a light fighter design. Let’s take a closer look at what this bird of prey offers!

The Hawk 200 is the modernised single seat variant of the family. Primarily intended for export to nations needing a lightweight multirole aircraft, this variant includes a pair of internal 25 mm ADEN cannons that are also mounted in the nose which can be supplemented by a 30 mm ADEN gunpod underslung in the centerline rack. Internally you will also find a non-afterburning Rolls-Royce Adour engine, from the same family as those found on the Jaguar, just without the re-heat. The aircraft features a decent HUD in the cockpit, making life easier for any pilot taking to the skies. Subsonic, but highly agile and maneuverable, the Hawk can be a dangerous little aircraft in the right hands!

In terms of air-to-air, as well as your internal cannon and pod options, you also have four AIM-9L Sidewinders to bring to bear in the fighter configuration! The aircraft also features an RWR suite and countermeasures in a single pod behind the tail. Only a small number however, so take care with how you use them!

Did you know? The Hawk in its T.1A variant has been operated by the Royal Air Force Red Arrows display team for 46 years! You may have seen them at many international airshows.

Ground attack is where the Hawk 200 really shines. As a support aircraft, the Hawk can carry a wide range of dumb and high drag bombs in 250, 500 and 1000 lb varieties, as well as rocket pod options. However the Hawk also features a quartet