Re:
Naval Hawk
I do not see why the Hawk/Goshawk could be made into a viable lightweight carrier strike fighter.
Beginning with the Hawk 128, redesign:
-the fuselage with much greater use of composites to save weight
-uprate the engine, or indeed find a more powerful replacement
-use strengthened landing gear from T-45 Goshawk
-add the arrester hook from the T-45
I’d start with the Hawk 200 single seat, cos it could possibly accomodate the T-45 nose gear without the extra girth in the the forward fuselage the T-45 has. It has already been equipped with radar too, and might be able to carry more fuel.
Perhaps composites in the wing, but I’d keep the metal fuselage
Arrestor and airbrakes from T-45 are essential.
Don’t change the engine. Keep the fuel economy.
I don’t like the main gear of the T-45, cos it takes wing space that is used for weapon harpoints on later Hawks. It ought to be possible to make a more compact system even for navy operations.
Any good?
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