US orders high-power amplifiers for Hawkeyes and Advanced Hawkeyes
An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye takes off from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in September 2021. (Photo: USN/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mason Congleton)
Hawaii-based North Star Scientific Corporation is providing Australia with high-power amplifier (HPA) units for aircraft, as well as HPA units for US-operated E-2C Hawkeye and E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft.
Under a $14.39 million order from the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, North Star Scientific will produce and deliver a total of 41 HPA units: six units for System Configuration Set-11 E-2C aircraft; nine for E-2D cryptographic modernisation and frequency remapping aircraft retrofits; 11 spare units; and 15 for the government of Australia to be installed on unspecified aircraft.
The order also provides for the production and delivery of 19 HPA units and vibration isolating tray assemblies with integral air plenums: 14 will be compatible with the Multi-functional Information Distribution System - Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS-JTRS), and five will work with MIDS-JTRS Link-16.
Work is expected to be completed in July 2024, the DoD announced on 14 July.
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