Northrop Grumman Corporation has received a U.S. Navy contract modification for non-recurring engineering and recurring support to configure the first Japanese E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.
The E-2D is an all-weather, Airborne Early Warning (AEW), command and control aircraft that will meet the Japanese Defense Ministry’s requirements for a future airborne early warning platform, according to a statement it released in November 2014. The aircraft will be produced at the company’s Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence in St. Augustine, Florida.
Under the $285,975,244 contract modification, Northrop Grumman will configure the Japanese E-2D aircraft utilizing the same E-2D multiyear production line used for U.S. aircraft to allow for a more efficient and affordable delivery schedule. The E-2D is the world’s only in-production AEW aircraft.
In November 2014, the Japan Ministry of Defense competitively selected the E-2D to fulfill an emerging next-generation AEW requirement.
«The E-2D will provide a critical capability that will serve as a force multiplier for the Japanese government», said Jane Bishop, vice president, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and C-2 Greyhound programs, Northrop Grumman. «First responders will be able to receive and act on information more quickly than before with greater airborne early warning capability and a networked communications system».
The Japanese Air Self Defense Force has operated the E-2C Hawkeye since the late 1980s. The E-2C is also currently in use by Taiwan, France and Egypt.
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 | 80 feet 7 inch/24.56 m |
| Width, wings folded | 29 feet 4 inch/8.94 m |
| Length overall | 57 feet 8.75 inch/17.60 m |
| Height overall | 18 feet 3.75 inch/5.58 m |
| Diameter of rotodome | 24 feet/7.32 m |
| Weight empty | 43,068 lbs/19,536 kg |
| Internal fuel | 12,400 lbs/5,624 kg |
| Takeoff gross weight | 57,500 lbs/26,083 kg |
| Maximum level speed | 350 knots/403 mph/648 km/h |
| Maximum cruise speed | 325 knots/374 mph/602 km/h |
| Cruise speed | 256 knots/295 mph/474 km/h |
| Approach speed | 108 knots/124 mph/200 km/h |
| Service ceiling | 34,700 feet/10,576 m |
| Minimum takeoff distance | 1,346 feet/410 m ground roll |
| Minimum landing distance | 1,764 feet/537 m ground roll |
| Ferry range | 1,462 NM/1,683 miles/2,708 km |
| 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 |
