The Ministry of Defence has assured that the Hawk T1 fleet, used by the Red Arrows, retains sufficient fatigue life to meet its operational commitments until 2030.
This assurance was given in response to a parliamentary question by Ben Obese-Jecty MP, who sought details on the fatigue index of each remaining aircraft.
The fatigue index measures the structural wear and tear on airframes. According to Defence Minister Maria Eagle, the index for each Hawk T1 aircraft in the fleet shows that while some airframes are nearing the upper limits of their fatigue tolerance, the overall fleet remains viable.
Hawk T1 Fatigue Index
The Ministry of Defence has provided data on the fatigue life of the Hawk T1 aircraft, ensuring sufficient remaining fatigue life for the Red Arrows’ tasking until 2030. Below is the detailed breakdown of each aircraft’s fatigue index:
| Tail Number | Fatigue Index Used | Maximum Fatigue Index | Percentage of Fatigue Index Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| XX177 | 133.650 | 154.09 | 86.74% |
| XX202 | 167.816 | 198.46 | 84.56% |
| XX219 | 163.636 | 191.60 | 85.41% |
| XX221 | 168.659 | 203.76 | 82.78% |
| XX232 | 130.940 | 154.48 | 84.76% |
| XX239 | 123.861 | 164.78 | 75.17% |
| XX242 | 146.188 | 154.45 | 94.65% |
| XX278 | 151.623 | 187.22 | 80.99% |
| XX295 | 106.590 | 155.31 | 68.63% |
| XX310 | 133.658 | 166.80 | 80.13% |
| XX319 | 176.021 | 193.41 | 91.01% |
| XX321 | 154.067 | 190.50 | 80.88% |
| XX322 | 154.811 | 185.67 | 83.38% |
| XX323 | 171.772 | 193.27 | 88.88% |
| Sustainment Fleet | |||
| XX159 | 137.555 | 194.27 | 70.81% |
| XX198 | 161.614 | 202.23 | 79.91% |
| XX217 | 140.460 | 195.11 | 71.99% |
| XX230 | 140.803 | 191.50 | 73.53% |
| XX255 | 145.777 | 189.47 | 76.94% |
| XX261 | 148.660 | 194.57 | 76.40% |
| XX281 | 146.154 | 201.26 | 72.62% |
| XX284 | 115.669 | 169.32 | 68.31% |
| XX301 | 127.277 | 184.50 | 68.98% |
| XX303 | 156.256 | 196.23 | 79.63% |
| XX345 | 145.217 | 202.61 | 71.67% |
| XX350 | 141.363 | 200.88 | 70.37% |
This detailed table confirms that the Hawk T1 fleet has adequate fatigue life remaining to support operational commitments, including the Red Arrows, until 2030 as planned.
Key Details on Fatigue Index
- The table provided by the MoD shows fatigue index values for each aircraft, including the percentage of fatigue used and the maximum allowable fatigue index.
- Among the primary Red Arrows fleet, XX242 has used the highest percentage of its fatigue life at 94.65%, followed by XX319 at 91.01%.
- The sustainment fleet, which supplements operational aircraft, displays lower levels of fatigue use. Aircraft such as XX284 (68.31%) and XX301 (68.98%) have significant remaining fatigue life.
Minister Eagle emphasised that the fleet-wide management of fatigue life ensures sufficient availability to meet all planned Red Arrows displays and taskings until 2030. The data suggests a proactive approach to monitoring and managing the structural integrity of these iconic aircraft.
Note fatigue index. Not total hours flown. Fatigue is the real measure of an aircrafts life.
I agree.
But where the fatigue index isn’t publicly available then frame hours are the nearest available proxy. And they are indicative but not conclusive.
On a spreadsheet working a few frames to death looks good as you can get to the modelled minimum of costs and availability crossover.
Then what happens? It’s five years..
Put your hands over your ears and sing la, la, la, la very loudly?
This is now the approved SOP for dealing with problems without budget lines.
It has to revolve around the T2’s and using something else for fast jet training. There isn’t anything else to use?
There are loads of advanced jet trainers on the market, it’s just wether HMG will order replacements in sensible time to replace the Hawk T2s before the pilot training program suffers. Fingers crossed it doesn’t become another debacle.
Yeah the Aeralis Advanced Jet Trainer project is long term the intended replacement for the Bae Hawk
Unless Aeralis can make rapid and firm progress by being brought under the GCAP umbrella (looking unlikely for obvious Italian reasons), or UK Mod financed, then we have to make a sensible decision and just pick one of the hugely capable Italian jet trainers to replace the lack luster T2
They have enough choose from…
Bit unfortunate having the word obese in your surname, sort of the opposite of Lord Adonis.
Unfortunate name – I’d change it to Fred Obese-Jecty, if I was him…
If you’re OK flying something at those extremes of 90% plus, then fine.