USN seeks sharper data fusion for Advanced Hawkeye
E-2D Hawkeye on the flight line. (Photo: USN/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Abbate)
The USN has ordered mission computer upgrade kits with advanced software for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.
The USN has ordered analysis tools and performance analysis to support improvements to its E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
Work on a contract from the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division will be performed by Toyon Research Corporation at four US locations for completion by July 2024.
‘Additionally, this order provides two E-2D Delta System Software Configuration (DSSC)-4 mission computer upgrade kits to support analysis of E-2D DSSC-4 in an operational environment, as well as develop system requirements to update the E-2D All-source Track and ID Fuser data fusion engine to accept data from tactical information web services,’ the DoD noted in a 3 May announcement.
This work feeds directly into efforts by the USN and industry to develop a method that would analyse different approaches of combining tracks from multiple disparate data sources, and identify the approach that results in the best overall track accuracy within the processing and time constraints available.
The USN in January 2022 received its final E-2D under the first multi-year procurement contract with Northrop Grumman.
The latest Advanced Hawkeye features the DSSC Build 3, which (according to Northrop Grumman) ‘provides an additional leap in operational effectiveness and technology’ with an aerial refuelling capability and a dwell-based tracker.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the USN signed a $3.2 billion multi-year contract in 2019 to acquire 24 additional E-2D aircraft, with a production deadline of 2026.
Deliveries under this MYP 2 contract will begin in 2022.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Poland to arm AW149 helicopters with Hellfire missiles]()
Poland to arm AW149 helicopters with Hellfire missiles
The 800 Hellfire missiles requested by Poland via a US Foreign Military Sale will equip the country's AW149 helicopter fleet, with a follow-on request likely to arm Apache helicopters and potentially other platforms.
-
![Germany to adapt Airbus H145 helicopters for combat role]()
Germany to adapt Airbus H145 helicopters for combat role
Reports suggest Germany has decided to buy Airbus H145 aircraft and modify them for armed operations instead of opting for upgraded Tiger attack helicopters.
-
![Decision to delay UK's MQ-9B Protector programme cost £186 million]()
Decision to delay UK's MQ-9B Protector programme cost £186 million
The Ministry of Defence's decision to delay the MQ-9B Protector programme by two years has cost the country £186 million, with total projected whole-life costs now at over £1.7 billion.
-
![Poland to send MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine within days]()
Poland to send MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine within days
Poland has pledged to deliver four MiG-29 jets to Ukraine in full working order, becoming the first NATO member to supply fighters to Ukraine. The Polish Air Force will replace them with FA-50 and F-35 jets.
-
![Turkey considers ditching F-16 Block 70 request in favour of non-US alternative]()
Turkey considers ditching F-16 Block 70 request in favour of non-US alternative
Turkish officials are signalling dissatisfaction and contemplating abandoning plans to purchase F-16 Block 70s from the US as the deal stalemates, and the country faces hard economic decisions.
