Hawk XX341 was manufactured as a Hawk T Mk1 by BAe at Dunsfold in May 1981 and has served at Boscombe Down since as an Advanced Stability Training and Research Aircraft (ASTRA) for the Empire Test Pilots' School. From January 1984 to June 1988 the aircraft underwent a modification programme at Cranfield to embody a Variable Stability System (VSS). The system was designed and developed by the Flight Systems and Measurements Laboratories, Cranfield Institute of Technology (CIT) under contract to MOD (PE) D Flying. The front cockpit is fitted with force feedback central and side-stick controllers and HUD integral Up Front Controller. Except for the parking Brake, all normal front seat controls have been moved to the rear cockpit. The aircraft has full parameter on-board recording and telemetry. The aircraft is being continuously upgraded and is currently being fitted with new colour MFDs, a Hawk 100 specification HUD, Ring Laser Gyro unit, GPS, and a new Computer Symbol Generator.
