The U.S. based Falcon Air proposed to the Uruguayan Air Force (FAU) the purchase of six BAE Hawk 200 light subsonic fighters and two BAE Hawk 100 advanced trainers for US$110 million.
According to the website Defensa.com, Uruguay has received an economically very advantageous offer for the acquisition of eight aircraft of the BAE Hawk family. These are six aircraft of the Mk200 version, single-seat subsonic fighters; and two of the Mk100 version, advanced two-seat trainers with some ground attack capabilities. The package would include training and a significant number of spare parts, which would ensure their logistical sustainability for many years.
The aircraft were built during the 1990s, would have a large number of remaining flight hours in their airframes, and during their operational life would have enjoyed a high degree of maintenance.
The proposal would also include up to six EMB-312F Tucano turboprops, for training and ground attack missions, which would serve to reactivate Air Squadron n°1, which until 2016 operated with the IA-58 Pucará.
According to journalist Javier Bonilla, the package offered to the Uruguayan Air Force includes the following main items:
- 6 BAE Hawk Mk 200 aircraft, together with their respective radars, firing computers, radar warning systems, laser rangefinders and chaff/flares defensive systems.
- BAE Hawk Mk 100, together with their laser rangefinders, FLIR, chaff/flares.
- 10 Martin Baker seats with annual inspection for 5 years after delivery.
- International training package for 24 pilots, mechanics, aeronautical and communications technicians for 1-4 weeks each (all paid).
- 5000 spare parts/line items.
- Spare fuselages.
- 3 engine inspections (3×8) of 250, 500 and 750 hours post-delivery.
- All 6 radars, 8 aircraft and their components would be delivered with inspection certificates up to date.
The aircraft could come from the stocks of the Malaysian Air Force (which will replace them with the KAI FA-50), Indonesia or Oman (which recently decommissioned them).
BAE Hawk 200
Undoubtedly the most interesting part of the offer is the Hawk 200, which would allow the Uruguayan Air Force to obtain all-weather air-to-air capabilities, thanks to the APG-66 radar installed on them.
Armament
As light combat aircraft, the Hawk 200s have seven hardpoints for weapons, sensors or external fuel. They have four sub-wing pylons, an under-fuselage pylon and wingtip air-to-air missile stations.
Armament options include a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, rockets, guided and unguided bombs, anti-ship missiles, etc., along with the option to install a 30 mm ADEM cannon under the fuselage.
Equipment
Hawk 200 is equipped with a Northrop Grumman AN/APG-66H multi-mode radar, a LINS 300 ring laser gyro inertial navigation system, an airborne data sensor, a display processor and mission computer and a datalink. The systems are connected via a dual MIL-STD-1553B digital bus.
Self-protection systems include a BAE SkyGuardian 200 RWR and automatic or manual Vinten chaff/flare dispensers located above the engine exhaust.
Cockpit
The pilot is provided with a hands-on throttle and stick control system (HOTAS) and a wide field-of-view heads-up display (HUD). The Hawk 200 cockpit has a multifunction color display, with 27 display formats providing flight and aircraft data. The cockpit is also compatible with night vision goggles.
Engine
The aircraft offered feature the improved performance Adour 951 engine (rated at 29.00 kN (6,520 lbf) of thrust) and up to twice the service life of the original Adour Mk 871. The Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) Hawks are the only ones (for now) equipped with in-flight refueling probes.
