24 Aug 2006
BAE Systems recently equipped a Red Arrows Hawk with camera equipment to record in-flight footage. The resulting aerial footage will be used in a one-hour documentary on the Red Arrows to be screened on the BBC on 28 August 2006.
A team of BAE Systems employees at Brough designed and carried out the modification of a gun pod to carry a camera and recording equipment on the Hawk aircraft. The pod is being used by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT) for photographic flights, the first of which took place during the Red Arrows deployment to Cyprus in the spring, with excellent resulting footage.
The BBC programme will follow the RAFAT pilots through pilot selection and the flying-workup process, capturing the character of the pilots, and will include ground and in-flight footage.
BAE Systems RAF support team leader, Dave Deeming said: This project has been an exciting challenge for our design and manufacturing teams and has provided the opportunity to further our good working relationship with the RAF Aerobatic Team, who are without doubt the Hawk aircraft's greatest ambassadors, performing exciting displays worldwide.
Red One, Red Arrows team leader Wing Commander Dicky Patounas said: The quality of the footage which has been captured is stunning. It will give members of the public a very real insight into what its like to fly with the Red Arrows. Were extremely excited by it.
The project commenced in January when a team of BAE Systems representatives from Hawk in-service avionics, flight systems, structures and design travelled to RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire to meet with representatives from the RAFAT, the Hawk Integrated Project Team, IWC Media and Impact Image.
The programme, called Red Arrows will be screened on BBC One at 17.00 on Bank Holiday Monday 28 August 2006.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. BAE Systems, with more than 100,000 employees worldwide, had 2005 sales that exceeded $28 billion.
For further information please contact:
Rebecca Brothers, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1482 664067
rebecca.brothers@baesystems.com
Lisa Hillary-Tee, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384934
Mob: +44 (0) 7801 718994
lisa.hillary-tee@baesystems.com
