The Royal Australian Air Force Hawk 127 is primarily used for initial or lead-in fighter training to prepare aircrew for operational conversion to the F/A-18 Hornet fighter or F-111 strike aircraft. It is operated by No 76 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, and No 79 Squadron at RAAF Base Pearce, near Perth.
The Hawk 127 is a low-wing all-metal aircraft, fitted with an integrated navigation and attack system, and powered by a single Adour Mk 871 turbofan engine. The avionics system is integrated via a 1553 multiplex database. The principle components are two display and mission computers (DMCs), which coordinate, process and command the display of information from the communications, navigation and attack sub-systems. Each cockpit has hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls.