The Boeing T-45 Goshawk is a carrier-capable advanced jet trainer developed by McDonnell Douglas, now Boeing, in partnership with BAE Systems. Based on the British BAE Hawk Mk 60 but extensively redesigned for aircraft carrier operations, the T-45 entered U.S. Navy service in 1991 and is used to train Navy and Marine Corps Student Naval Aviators in advanced jet flying, carrier operations, formation flying, instrument flying and weapons delivery. To withstand the demands of carrier operations, the Goshawk features strengthened landing gear, a reinforced airframe, an arrestor hook, catapult launch capability and other naval-specific modifications. It is powered by a Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour turbofan and provides student pilots with experience in the handling and procedures required before progressing to frontline aircraft such as the F/A-18 Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and F-35C Lightning II. A total of 221 aircraft were built in T-45A and T-45C variants. Most surviving T-45As were later upgraded to the digital-cockpit T-45C standard, which incorporates modern avionics, multifunction displays and a head-up display. The Goshawk continues to serve as the U.S. Navy's sole advanced carrier jet trainer and is expected to remain in service until a future replacement is selected under the Undergraduate Jet Training System programme.
