*Source: Defense Media / Northrop Grumman
(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - June 17, 2009: The Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program has signed a $432 million contract with the U.S. Navy to produce four Low Rate Initial Production aircraft, the firm said June 16 at the Paris Air Show. 
The latest version of the E-2, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, is currently under development and the first two aircraft, "Delta One" and "Delta Two" are in flight testing. The E-2D features an entirely new avionics suite, including the new APY-9 radar, radio suite, mission computer, integrated satellite communications capability, flight management system, improved engines, a new "glass" cockpit and the ability to refuel in-flight. The APY-9 features an Active Electronically Scanned Array (electronically steered) radar in its rotodome. The E-2D will include provisions for either pilot to act as a Tactical 4th Operator, and have access to the full range of mission functions available to the CIC crew. The E-2D's first flight occurred on 3 August 2007. The E-2D will undergo Initial Operational Test and Evaluation in 2011. On May 8, 2009, an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye used Cooperative Engagement Capability to engage an overland cruise missile with a Standard Missile 6 in an integrated fire control test.
The contract follows the signing in 2003 of a development and design contract for the aircraft, an update of the E-2C that will fly with the AN/APY-9 electronically scanned radar built by Lockheed Martin.
Northrop Grumman said the aircraft had passed an Operational Assessment test phase and flown 1,000 flight test hours.
The decision to launch LRIP production coincided with the review and recertification of the program under the Nunn-McCurdy certification process, following a leap in costs on the program.
In a statement, the U.S. Navy said that the review showed "the critical breach could be mitigated by programming the procurement of E-2D aircraft at a more efficient rate."
The Navy will procure two aircraft each in fiscal year 2009 and 2010, the Navy added, with a total of 75 acquisitions planned. The program is on track for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation in 2011, it added.
The latest version of the E-2, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, is currently under development and the first two aircraft, "Delta One" and "Delta Two" are in flight testing. The E-2D features an entirely new avionics suite, including the new APY-9 radar, radio suite, mission computer, integrated satellite communications capability, flight management system, improved engines, a new "glass" cockpit and the ability to refuel in-flight. The APY-9 features an Active Electronically Scanned Array (electronically steered) radar in its rotodome. The E-2D will include provisions for either pilot to act as a Tactical 4th Operator, and have access to the full range of mission functions available to the CIC crew. The E-2D's first flight occurred on 3 August 2007. The E-2D will undergo Initial Operational Test and Evaluation in 2011. On May 8, 2009, an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye used Cooperative Engagement Capability to engage an overland cruise missile with a Standard Missile 6 in an integrated fire control test.
The contract follows the signing in 2003 of a development and design contract for the aircraft, an update of the E-2C that will fly with the AN/APY-9 electronically scanned radar built by Lockheed Martin.
Northrop Grumman said the aircraft had passed an Operational Assessment test phase and flown 1,000 flight test hours.
The decision to launch LRIP production coincided with the review and recertification of the program under the Nunn-McCurdy certification process, following a leap in costs on the program.
In a statement, the U.S. Navy said that the review showed "the critical breach could be mitigated by programming the procurement of E-2D aircraft at a more efficient rate."
The Navy will procure two aircraft each in fiscal year 2009 and 2010, the Navy added, with a total of 75 acquisitions planned. The program is on track for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation in 2011, it added.
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