28 Mar 2007 | Ref. 090/2007
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The 200th T45 Goshawk, delivered to the US Navy in March 2007
St Louis, USA. - The 200th T-45 Goshawk training aircraft, produced by Boeing and partner BAE Systems, has been handed over to the US Navy, at a special ceremony held in St Louis, Missouri, USA.
The event, held at Boeing’s facility in St Louis, was attended by senior representatives of the US Navy and prime contractor Boeing. In recognition of the tremendous team effort across BAE Systems over the past 20 years on the T-45 programme, as well as senior management representation, three long-serving T-45 employees from the BAE Systems sites at Brough and Samlesbury got the opportunity to attend the ceremony.
BAE Systems, through its Military Air Solutions (MAS) business, is responsible for the manufacture of the centre and aft fuselage (Samlesbury) and the wings, fin and air intakes (Brough) on the T-45. These are then supplied to the Boeing final assembly line in St Louis. BAE Systems also provides spares support and design services.
Gary Clements, head of T-45 at BAE Systems, said: “It was an extremely proud occasion for everyone who has been involved in the T-45 programme. The T-45 is recognised by the US Navy as a first class product delivering excellent training for current and future Naval aviators.
“For BAE Systems to be involved in a programme delivering 200 aircraft to the world’s largest defence force is a tremendous achievement and testament to the quality of the product and the team delivering it.“
Ian Willaims, one of the Samlesbury employees who attended the event added: “I have worked on T-45 for 17 years and to get the opportunity to visit St Louis and see the 200th aircraft being handed over was something I’ll never forget. We received a great welcome from our partners at Boeing, and they definitely know how to put on a show!”
The T-45 is used as a intermediate and advanced trainer for the US Navy and the aircraft are currently based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville, Texas and NAS Meridian, Mississippi. The aircraft are based onshore and flown out to the training carrier for deck landings.
The 200th T-45 is now one of over 900 Hawks that are in-service or have been ordered by 19 nations across the globe.
About BAE Systems:
BAE Systems is a global defence 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. With 88,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £13.7 billion pounds sterling (US25.4 billion dollars) in 2006.
For further information contact:
Paul Earnshaw, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1772 855572 Mob: +44 (0) 7801 715 851
Paul.h.earnshaw@baesystems.com
Lisa Hillary-Tee, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384934 Mob: +44 (0)7801 718994
lisa.hillary-tee@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384710 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
www.baesystems.com
