In the early 70s the historic British aircraft manufacturers were incorporated into a unique Aerospace Design and Manufacturing company, known as BAE Systems. Prior to this, however, a requirement was issued for an advanced jet trainer to replace the Folland Gnat, and various companies, including Hawker Siddeley, began to fund solo projects in an attempt to arouse RAF interest. Hawker Siddeley came up with the Hawk, and all other British manufacturers decided to renounce their projects and throw in with BAE. Then, when moving equipment from the Blackburn research facilities that had given life to the famous Buccaneer, some blueprints and initial production plans came to light, and they were considered so “avant garde” that Blackburn decided to fund a trainer project itself.
The single engine, twin-seat aircraft was named the “Athena”, and an Advanced Weapons Trainer or Point Defence version with up to four wing hardpoints and two ventral Aden gunpods was also defined, to be called “Rapier”.
The aircraft quickly made a name for itself as an agile rival to the Hawk, with slightly superior handling characteristics. Fully transonic, it was capable of M0.87 in level flight and M1.3 in a shallow dive.
The cockpit had a height differential that made for excellent instructor visibility, and pilots had Martin-Baker Mk 10B zero-zero rocket-assisted ejection seats. The canopy was treated with a Tin Iridium Gold (TIG) coating to reduce glare, and the most modern avionics suite was fitted. A retractable air to air refuelling probe was fitted as standard, and the Rolls Royce RB145 engine equipped with FADEC. A Ram Air Turbine was installed forward of the tail fin to provide power for avionics and hydraulic systems in the event of engine failure. The end result made the Blackburn Athena T Mk. 1 the ideal choice for an advanced trainer for many air forces throughout the world.
Nose wheel steering on the stick,
AG1+VTOL Raise refuel probe
AG2 Flaps (when fitted)
AG3 Nav Lights

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