The Northrop Grumman has upgraded its E-2 Hawkeye, an American carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft used by the US Navy, as reported first by Interesting Engineering.
But now, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is its newest and most technologically advanced version yet. It includes various features and enhancements, such as a radio suite, integrated satellite communications, and the AN/APY-9 radar capable of detecting fighter-sized stealth aircraft.
Other features include a mission computer, flight management system, a glass cockpit, enhanced T56-1-427A engines, and aerial refueling.
In terms of how the Navy carries out battle management command and control, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is a game changer. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is crucial to progressing the mission, no matter what it is, by acting as the "digital quarterback" to sweep ahead of strike, manage the mission, and keep our net-centric carrier battle groups out of harm's way. The E-2D provides the warfighter with a wider view of the battlefield, particularly in information operations, where it delivers battle management, theatre air and missile defence, and multiple sensor fusion capabilities in an airborne aircraft.
Game Changer for the Navy
According to the aircraft's manufacturer, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is a "game changer" in how the Navy operates its battle management command and control.
This improved aircraft is essential to advancing any mission because it acts as the "digital quarterback" to oversee the mission, sweep ahead of the strike, and keep net-centric carrier battle groups safe, according to Northrop Grumman.
"The E-2D gives the warfighter expanded battlespace awareness, especially in the area of information operations delivering battle management, theater air, and missile defense, and multiple sensor fusion capabilities in an airborne system," the company added.
According to estimates, Northrop Grumman produced a total of 51 of those aircraft between June 2013 and January 2022 under several contracts.
The company delivered the AA-53 successfully on January 21, 2022, the 51st US Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye production aircraft.
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Two-Generation Leap
Furthermore, the Advanced Hawkeye will provide combined forces and first responders with vital, usable data thanks to a two-generation leap in radar sensor capability and a strong network-enabled capability.
The time between initial awareness and active combat is also shortened thanks to these developments since they give warfighters the situational awareness they need, according to Northrop Grumman.
Earlier contracts for the delivery of the aircraft included a $113.7 million deal for five E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft for full-rate production Lot 2 for June 2013, a $617 million deal for five E-2Ds until full-rate production Lot 1 in August 2013, and a $3.6 billion deal for 25 more E-2D in August 2014.
The maiden flight of an E-2D equipped with aerial refueling in December 2016 marked a significant advancement in the aircraft's development, doubling the aircraft's time on station to five hours and lengthening mission duration from four to seven hours.
However, the 46th aircraft was the first to have this refueling modification, which added $2 million to each aircraft's cost. Later, the Navy planned to spend $6 million per plane to retrofit the function on all older Hawkeyes.
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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla
