US Navy orders additional E-2D AEW&C aircraft

Northrop Grumman will supply an additional 25 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft to the US Navy under a $3.6 billion contract announced on 30 June.

The order brings the total number of E-2D aircraft contracted by the US Navy to 50, 13 of which have already been delivered by Northrop Grumman. The navy’s program of record calls for 75 aircraft in total.

The E-2D aircraft is a carrier-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system designed to provide 360-degree surveillance to the warfighter.

The aircraft has undergone a significant transformation from previous E-2 models, resulting in enhanced capabilities, including a new, more powerful AN/APY-9 radar system which allows the warfighter to see a greater number of targets at greater distances; new avionics and a glass cockpit.

US Navy Capt John Lemmon, program manager, E-2/C-2 Airborne Tactical Data System Program Office (PMA-231), said: ‘The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the navy's primary airborne early warning and battle management command and control platform. I'm confident that as the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye attains initial operational capability later this year, the E-2D will continue to be ready, relevant and capable for decades to come and continue serving the [US] Navy Carrier Strike Group with distinction.’

This latest contract is a fixed-price, incentive fee multiyear contract.