DTN News: Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Begins Next Phase Of Flight Testing

DTN News: Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Begins Next Phase Of Flight Testing

*Source: Northrop Grumman

(NSI News Source Info) BETHPAGE, N.Y., - June 11, 2009: Almost 22 months after its first flight over the skies of St. Augustine, Fla., Northrop Grumman's first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye test aircraft flew north to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, in Maryland, to begin the next phase of testing in preparation for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation in 2011. Shown airborne for the first time on Aug. 3, 2007, Northrop Grumman's first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye test aircraft, Delta One, flew to Naval Air Station Patuxent River to begin the next phase of testing. Carrier suitability testing involves catapult and arrested landing structural tests, also called "Shake, Rattle, and Roll Test," to verify the aircraft is structurally prepared for the rigors of carrier operations. "Since our first flight on Aug. 3, 2007, the joint Advanced Hawkeye team has been putting the aircraft through its paces, and recently passed the 1,000th hour of flight testing," said Jim Culmo, vice president of Airborne Early Warning and Battle Management Command and Control programs for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems sector. "We're looking forward to getting the E-2D out on the aircraft carrier.

This next phase -- carrier suitability testing -- brings us that much closer to delivering this revolutionary weapons system to the warfighter." To ensure that the aircraft operating on carriers are compatible, all naval aviation assets undergo carrier suitability testing prior to joining the fleet. During this test phase all aspects of aviation/ship integration are addressed, including logistics, manpower and interoperability. "Carrier suitability testing for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will concentrate on verifying that the aircraft is structurally prepared for the rigors of carrier operations," said Marty McCord, Northrop Grumman Contractor Flight Test Director.

"The bulk of the testing involves catapult and arrested landing structural tests, also called 'Shake, Rattle, and Roll Tests', as well as determining the minimum acceptable approach airspeed and establishing crosswind limits," he added. Designed and built for the U.S. Navy, the E-2D will utilize its newly developed AN/APY-9 Electronic Scan Array (ESA) radar, Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) system, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), and off-board sensors, in concert with surface combatants equipped with the Aegis combat system to detect, track, and defeat cruise missile threats at extended ranges. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will also provide unparalleled maritime domain awareness including airspace control for manned and unmanned assets, monitoring of surface movements, civil support, and command and control of tactical forces.

The E-2D's new AN/APY-9 radar, designed and built by a radar team led by Lockheed Martin, represents a two-generational leap in radar technology. "The AN/APY-9 can see smaller targets and more of them at a greater range than currently fielded radar systems," Culmo added. Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.