E-2D Hawkeye to be tested for flight compatibility with French carrier at Clemenceau 22

Europe, News, US February 9, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

French Navy’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Charles de Gaulle (R19) and Task Force 473 are set to be integrated with U.S. Navy’s Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) and Italian carrier Cavour (C-550) strike groups would be deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean region under the Mission Clemenceau 22.

The Mission Clemenceau 22, a Tri-carrier operation, would take place in February/March 2022 in the Eastern Mediterranean between the U.S., French, and Italian Naval fleets.

Mission Clemenceau 22 is a rotation of the European Union Partner Navies and the NATO allies which is focused on enhancing cooperation at the Eastern Mediterranean region on combined sea control, combined power projection, and C4I (command, control, communication, computers, and Intelligence) data sharing.

While speaking about the upcoming joint deployment, the Commander of the U.S. Carrier Strike Group Eight, Rear Admiral Curt Renshaw said that “The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group has had the extraordinary chance to work with some of the finest maritime operators in the region and have been looking forward to training with our Italian and French allies. The capabilities of a US aircraft carrier strike group are made stronger by operating alongside our allies and partners, and adding the French and Italian carrier teams provides an exciting chance to strengthen our interoperability together.”

*^{Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft. (Image Credit: Northrop Grumman)}*

A major highlight of the upcoming Mission Clemenceau 22 would be the first flight test of Northrop Grumman’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft with the French Carrier. This would be the first time that E-2D would be integrated into the French Carrier setting.

Northrop Grumman delivered three E-2D Hawkeye for air tests to the French Navy. The aircraft is set to have its flight tests with the French Navy’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Charles de Gaulle.

The French Ministry of Armed Forced confirmed the acquisition of three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye AEW&C planes in December 2021. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye brings substantial capabilities to the carrier strike group, including new and powerful AN/APY-9 radar, which is a two-generational leap in technology.

The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) integrated with the @MarineNationale carrier Charles de Gaulle’s (R 91) Task Force 473 and @ItalianNavy carrier Cavour (C-550) strike groups, highlighting the strength of the #NavyPartnerships 🇺🇸🇫🇷🇮🇹among the three nations. pic.twitter.com/gywBmdpgX0
— Naval Surface Forces (@SurfaceWarriors) February 8, 2022

APY-9 radar is an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) surveillance system that provides both mechanical and electronic scanning capabilities which are useful in detecting smaller targets at a longer range. This is the first time that E-2D Hawkeye aircraft has been equipped with the Delta System/Software Configuration (DSSC) Build 3, which provides E-2D with the incorporation of aerial refueling and a dwell-based tracker. To date, 51 of the E-2D Hawkeye planes have been delivered to the U.S. Navy while Northrop Grumman has been awarded multiple multi-year procurement contracts for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Apart from the French and U.S., Japan is also set to acquire 13 E-2D variants by 2023.