E-2D flies with aerial refuelling kit
Northrop Grumman has successfully completed the first flight of its E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft equipped with aerial refuelling equipment, it was announced on 15 December.
The company has designed, developed, manufactured and tested several sub-system upgrades necessary to add an aerial refuelling capability under a 2013 engineering, manufacturing and development contract. The new capability will allow the E-2D to remain on-station longer and fly missions at greater ranges.
The upgrades to support aerial refuelling include probe and associated piping, electrical and lighting upgrades and long endurance seats that will enhance field of view in the cockpit and reduce fatigue over longer missions.
The aerial refuelling programme will modify three aircraft for testing through 2018. Production cut-in and retrofit plans are scheduled to begin in 2018.
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