My opinion: The odds of you flying one of these is slim, they computer rarely uses them and they're not purchasable. If you do end up in one, try to get out of it as soon as possible. The Hawk is less durable than a ShuttleCraft and lacks cargo room. If you purchase(d) a Hawk Fighter Bay get rid of it. 50 tons of space is far too much to waste on two weak Hawks. As a normal escort the Hawks aren't bad, but they'll quickly be turned into bits of floating metal by the enemy.
Computer controled: I haven't had too much experience with Hawks but they fly like Defenders. Don't worry about their missles, they only have two of them.