McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk

The McDonnell Douglas T‑45 Goshawk is a carrier‑capable advanced jet trainer designed for the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Developed in the early 1990s from the British BAE Systems Hawk, the aircraft entered service in 1994 after a joint production effort between McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, which later absorbed the program. Over 400 airframes have been built, serving at Training Air Wings across the Navy’s fleet. The T‑45 features a single Pratt & Whitney F100‑PW‑229 turbofan delivering 16,000 pounds of thrust, a fully digital avionics suite, and a robust air‑frame that tolerates the high‑stress catapult launches and arrested recoveries required on aircraft carriers. Its cockpit, equipped with modern glass displays and a head‑up display, provides student pilots with an environment that mirrors front‑line strike fighters such as the F/A‑18 Hornet and the F‑35. The aircraft’s aerodynamic design incorporates leading‑edge extensions and a ventral air‑intake that enhance low‑speed handling and carrier approach performance. The T‑45 Goshawk has become a cornerstone of Naval Aviation training, shortening the learning curve for combat pilots and ensuring a safe, cost‑effective transition from basic trainers to operational fleet aircraft. Its continued upgrades keep it relevant well into the 21st century.

McDonnell Douglas

McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk

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