Five E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 will make their maiden deployment as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is set to replace the E-2C Hawkeye in its primary mission to provide airborne early warning and command and control capabilities for all aircraft-carrier battle groups. While the primary mission for the E-2 has not changed, the Advanced Hawkeye is able to gather and process data more precisely and efficiently thanks to state-of-the-art radar and communication equipment.
«Suppose you’re looking through a pair of goggles, with the E-2C you have 20/20 vision, and with the E-2D you have 20/10», said Cmdr. Daryl Trent, commanding officer of VAW-125. «It has significantly advanced radar, its computer processing capabilities have been increased and the communication suites have been enhanced. This plane is a real game-changer».
The Advanced Hawkeye’s technology makes it a multi-mission platform through its ability to coordinate concurrent missions, which may arise during a single flight. These missions can include airborne strike, ground force support, rescue operations and managing a reliable communications network capable of supporting drug interdiction operations.
Along with advances in equipment, the Advanced Hawkeye’s all-glass cockpit boasts an entirely digital display, an upgrade that allows the co-pilot to act as the Tactical 4th Operator (T4O).
«It’s not like before when everything was pressure gauges», said Trent. «Now everything is digital. This makes for a stronger ability to process information, and allows the co-pilot to change his display and access acquired data».
With the first five going out to sea, the Navy plans to continue procuring the Advanced Hawkeye to replace the Hawkeye through 2023.
«This aircraft has been in development for almost 20 years», said Trent. «Now that we’re set for our maiden deployment, and we get set to integrate with craft like the growler and the hornet, we’re going to become the most efficient carrier strike group in the fleet».
VAW-125 deploys as part of CVW-1 on a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility to conduct maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is a game changer in how the Navy will conduct battle management command and control. By serving as the «digital quarterback» to sweep ahead of strike, manage the mission, and keep our net-centric carrier battle groups out of harms way, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the key to advancing the mission, no matter what it may be. 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.
Hardware with system characteristics that provides:
- Substantial target processing capacity (>3,000 reports per second)
- Three highly automated and common operator stations
- High-capacity, flat-panel color high-resolution displays
- Extensive video type selection (radar and identification friend/foe)
- HF/VHF/UHF and satellite communications systems
- Extensive data link capabilities
- Inertial navigational system and global positioning system navigation and in-flight alignment
- Integrated and centralized diagnostic system
- Glass Cockpit allows software reconfigurable flight/mission displays
- Cockpit – 4th tactical operator
- Open architecture ensures rapid technology upgrades and customized configuration options
General Characteristics
Wingspan: 24.56 m/80 feet 7 in
Width, wings folded: 8.94 m/29 feet 4 in
Length overall: 17.60 m/57 feet 8.75 in
Height overall: 5.58 m/18 feet 3.75 in
Diameter of rotodome: 7.32 m/24 feet
Weight empty: 19,536 kg/43,068 lbs
Internal fuel: 5,624 kg/12,400 lbs
Takeoff gross weight: 26,083 kg/57,500 lbs
Maximum level speed: 648 km/h/350 knots/403 mph
Maximum cruise speed: 602 km/h/325 knots/374 mph
Cruise speed: 474 km/h/256 knots/295 mph
Approach speed: 200 km/h/108 knots/124 mph
Service ceiling: 10,576 m/34,700 feet
Minimum takeoff distance: 410 m/1,346 feet ground roll
Minimum landing distance: 537 m/1,764 feet ground roll
Ferry range: 2,708 km/1,462 NM
Crew Members: 5
Power Plant: 2 × Rolls-Royce T56-A-427A, rated at 5,100 eshp each
Unrefueled: >6 hours
In-flight refueling: 12 hours
