BAE Systems begins negotiations for 20 more Hawks

BAE Systems, now comfortably in the Indian fixed wing space with its Hawk advanced jet trainer, has begun negotiations with HAL to transfer equipment to support the license build of 20 more Hawks for the IAF's erstwhile Surya Kiran aerobatics team. The Hawk fleet will make the revived aerobatics team only the second team in the world after the RAF Red Arrows to operate a nine Hawk formation routine. With its fixed wing business on steady course, BAE Systems will be showcasing a slew of equipment at Aero India 2015 at the helicopter fleets of the Indian armed forces. Equipment on display at the show will include S3000 and Mission Adaptable Crew Seats (MACS), the Striker helmet-mounted display (HMD), in service on the Eurofighter Typhoon. According to the company, "Striker provides comfort, protection, and helmet stability for both fixed- and rotary-wing platforms such as the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Apache and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)." Also debuting this year at the show will be BAE's Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS™) rocket, described as a cost-effective solution that leverages the military’s existing infrastructure and inventory, turning a standard unguided 2.75-inch (70 millimeter) rocket into a precision laser-guided rocket. The weapon may be aimed at India's attack helicopter fleet inventories.