ALARMs are a maybe for it from what I understand. based upon the forum page at least its “yet to be confirmed”. If we get anything other than Cluster/Dumb Bombs it will probably be Sea Eagle (ASM). If we get ALARM, then that would probably go on Harrier Gr7/Tornado Gr1.
But from the perspective of SB, even just a handful of bombs will be great. Torando F3 has a big issue in SB that is pure A2A jets struggle in the economy. Having something that can dump a few bombs is going to be great.
The main interesting in the FA2 for me though is not A2G. I think the Gr7 and Gr1 have that covered adequately. Yeah, a multirole would be great. but I dont think we’ll get that properly until Typhoon. But its A2A power. I think its better suited for the brawling we have in WT.
GBU-12 are cleared for use on the GR.1A (have a report in for them). But the outboard pylons need to be symmetrical, you can’t carry a Phimat without the AN/ALQ-101-10 for load balancing reasons. Same with the bombs, dropped in pairs.
So in short the GBU-12 would also need to be dropped in pairs so not viable.
The Aircrew Manual and CTTO Jaguar Strike Study seem to imply that all wing pylons need to be symmetrical (when they talk about asymmetry they do not differentiate between the inner and outer pylons).
They specify that the Red Arrows use the T.1 for display role, so when they are talking about the other roles they are referring to the T.2, at least thats what I understood.
The banner at the top says Hawk T.1. Also it’s a sales advert and the UK Government is not selling Hawk T.2s. But it is selling the Hawk T.1s we’re planning to retire
Brochure is a bit of a mess as it has Hawk T2 photos on the front page and specs for the T2’s Adour 951 engine. But it has Hawk T1 specified in the top-right.
DESA is an MoD agency for the sale of surplus (i.e. retired) UK military equipment, which would be T1s. I’m not aware of us selling any surplus T.2s yet, and sales of new aircraft (i.e. Hawk 120s) would be done by BAE and the Foreign Office rather than MoD.
