Military Aircraft
BAE Hawk
ICAO: HAWK
Overview
The BAE Nimrod MRA4 was a modernization of the Royal Air Force’s Nimrod patrol aircraft. Launched in the 1990s, it aimed to provide updated surveillance capability. The program was ultimately canceled before operational service.
Live Fleet Activity (NIM)
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 4 × Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofans
- Engine type
- Turbofan
- Thrust
- 4 × 15,500 lbf · 69 kN
- Avionics
- Electronic Support Measures Elta, Doppler Search Radar Thales Defence.
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 10
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 126 ft 9 in · 38.63 m
- Tail height
- 31 ft 0 in · 9.45 m
- Fuselage diameter
- —
- Wing span
- 127 ft 11 in · 39.00 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 232,500 lb · 105,500 kg
- Max landing weight
- —
- Max payload
- 12,000 lb · 5,450 kg
- Fuel capacity
- Max cruise speed
- 316 kt · 364 mph · 585 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- —
- Range
- 6,004 nm · 6,910 mi · 11,120 km
- Fuel burn
- 1.27 nm/gal · 0.62 km/L
- Ceiling
- 36,000 ft · 11,000 m
- Rate of climb
- —
- Takeoff distance
- —
- Landing distance
- —
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Operational Context
BAE Nimrod MRA4 — proposed maritime patrol aircraft
The MRA4 program sought to upgrade the Nimrod airframe with new wings and avionics. Development challenges and cost overruns delayed the project. Although test aircraft flew, full operational service was not achieved.
Four turbofan engines producing approximately 13,000 pounds of thrust (58 kN) each would have powered the aircraft. Cruise speed was projected near Mach 0.80. Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 200,000 pounds (90,718 kg).
The cancellation of the MRA4 left a temporary gap in UK maritime patrol capability. The program illustrates the risks of complex modernization efforts. No production aircraft entered service.