BAE Systems issues statement following crash of Lancashire-made RAF Hawk T2
The RAF confirmed the incident yesterday, stating that both pilots were receiving medical treatment and their families were being supported.
Investigations are underway after a Lancashire-made RAF jet plane crashed shortly after taking off.
The Hawk T2 - which was constructed largely at the BAe sites in Samlesbury and Warton - went down shortly after taking off from RAF Valley in Anglesey. The trainer jet reportedly caught fire after departure before pitching up sharply.
Both crew members ejected, while the plane crashed in a nearby field close to a caravan site. There were no casualties on the ground.
The RAF confirmed the incident yesterday, stating that both pilots were receiving medical treatment and their families were being supported.
Today a spokesman for the RAF added: “Both pilots are doing well, they are in extremely good spirits and expected to make a full recovery. A formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is now underway and as a precautionary measure, the RAF has temporarily paused Hawk T1 and Hawk T2 flying operations.”
The Hawk T1 is used by the Red Arrows and it is understood they are also grounded. However, they are not due to fly again until Le Touquet Airshow in France this weekend. It is unclear when the restriction will be lifted.
BAE statement
When asked whether BAE Systems is involved in any investigation- internally or in conjunction with the RAF - a spokesman said: “"We are aware of the incident involving a Royal Air Force Hawk T2 aircraft at RAF Valley, however, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage. Any enquiries should be directed to the Royal Air Force.”
What is the Hawk T2?
The BAE Systems Hawk T2 is a high-performance, two-seat training jet equipped with advanced avionics and synthetic radar to simulate front-line combat aircraft like the Typhoon. Used primarily by the RAF for advanced jet training, it prepares pilots for complex tactical environments.
The Hawk T2 is no longer in production, but when it was, the first components of the T2 were manufactured at BAe’s site in Brough which were then sent to its Warton site for further manufacturing work, assembly and testing, with the aircraft's wings coming from the Samlesbury facility.
The first flight of the Hawk T2 took place at Warton Aerodrome on July 27, 2005, with subsequent delivery flights (such as the first RAF T2 in 2009) also originating from the Warton runway.
The UK has 28 Hawk T2 aircraft, operated by both the RAF and the Royal Navy, based off a £450 million contract placed with BAE Systems in 2006. Last year the Ministry of Defence acknowledged that alternative options to its current Hawk T2 trainer program were being assessed, though it was tight-lipped about what those assessments may involve.