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U.S. defense manufacturer Northrop Grumman started the production of the first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft for the French Navy.

The milestone was celebrated in a ceremony attended by representatives from the French Navy, Northrop Grumman, Naval Air Systems Command, and Navy International Programs Office.

Under the contract, Northrop Grumman will deliver three E-2D aircraft to the French Navy, with the first scheduled for delivery in 2027. This achievement marks a significant step toward equipping France with the world’s most advanced airborne command and control aircraft.

Vice president of multi-domain command and control programs at Northrop Grumman, Janice Zilch said, “Our partnership with France goes back over 25 years. We are proud to have supported the French Navy with the Hawkeye 2000, and we look forward to providing a generational leap in decision dominance with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.”

Northrop Grumman’s E-2C Hawkeye 2000, which has been in service with the French Navy since 1998, plays a vital role in air defense and supports the French Navy’s Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group.

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye AEW aircraft will replace France’s E-2C Hawkeye 2000 fleet, which has been in service for over 25 years. The E-2D offers substantial upgrades over its predecessors, including the capability for aerial refueling.

The U.S. Navy is the primary operator of the E-2D Hawkeyes and has funded about 80 aircraft in the current program. Besides the U.S. and France, Japan has purchased 18 E-2D airborne early warning aircraft. However, France remains the only nation outside the United States to operate E-2C Hawkeyes from an aircraft carrier, a capability that has facilitated joint interoperability exercises between French and U.S. fleets, enhancing coordination between Hawkeyes and other aircraft.

E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the latest version of the E-2 platform. The E-2D provides the U.S. Navy with broad area coverage, which enhances broader range capabilities. It provides all-weather airborne early warning and command and control capabilities for all aircraft-carrier battle groups. The aircraft is also used for land and sea surveillance and features aerial refueling capabilities.

The E-2D Hawkeye first flew in 2007 and entered military service in 2010. Powered by two Rolls Royce turboprop engines, it can travel up to 2,707 kilometers at speeds reaching 648 kilometers.

The aircraft’s command and control capability transforms it into a versatile multi-mission platform. It can effectively coordinate simultaneous missions during a single flight, including airborne strikes, land force support, rescue operations, establishing a robust communications network between widely dispersed nodes, and providing support for drug interdiction operations.

It plays a crucial role in modern military operations, providing comprehensive situational awareness of potential threats to naval task forces from altitudes of up to 25,000 feet. The aircraft’s sophisticated radar and sensor systems enable it to identify threats and provide positional data to accompanying fighter aircraft, enhancing overall mission effectiveness.

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.”

Advanced features

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye represents a significant technological leap from its predecessor, the E-2C. Its key advancements include:

Updated Radar System: Equipped with the AN/APY-9 radar, the E-2D offers superior detection capabilities and higher resolution, allowing for more accurate threat identification.

Missile Defense Capabilities: Advanced systems onboard the E-2D enhance its ability to detect and track missile threats, providing critical data for defensive actions.

Multi-Sensor Integration: The aircraft integrates data from various sensors, creating a comprehensive operational picture that improves decision-making processes.

Tactical Glass Cockpit: Featuring state-of-the-art displays and controls, the cockpit enhances pilot efficiency and situational awareness.

These enhancements ensure that the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye remains at the forefront of airborne early warning and control technology, capable of performing a wide range of roles, including command and control, surveillance, guiding search and rescue missions, and extending communication ranges.