CVN 75 Providing The Platform For Carrier Flight Testing OF The
New Aircraft
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, the Navy's newest airborne early
warning and control aircraft, made its first launch Feb. 1, from
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX)
20 representatives and aircrew from Patuxent River, MD, are aboard
Truman to conduct suitability testing on the new aircraft.
U.S. Navy Photo
"Truman is here to provide the squadron with the platform they
need to perform the testing," said Lt. Cmdr. Rodney Moss, USS Harry
S. Truman aircraft handler. "We will be supporting their test
equipment on board, as well as aiding them in launch and recovery
efforts."
"The idea of the E2-D started in the late 90's as kind of just a
concept," said Cmdr. Mike Santomauro, flight test director. "The
aircraft they are landing today began its initial testing back in
2007. The fact that we are even coming out to this ship is the
culmination of more than a year-and-a-half of effort to get to
here."
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will not provide a significant change
in the mission of early warning and control; however, it will
enable the aircraft to perform its mission with greater
improvements. "It is a two-generation leap in surveillance
capabilities, and it's going to be a game changer in information
dominance for the U.S. Navy," Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary
Roughead said during a speech in 2010.
File Photo
The new aircraft will be able to scan a larger area, detect
smaller objects and process information quickly than its
predecessor. The aircrews will be able to accomplish these tasks
through improved all-glass cockpits and tactical operator stations.
"There are a lot of things that have changed," said Santomauro.
"The old E-2C had a lot of steam gauges, but the cockpit of the new
E2-D is composed entirely of glass with flat screen control
panels."
The aircraft will go through a rigorous six-day testing period
during which the squadron will determine whether the E2-D is
effective in a operational shipboard environment. "We will make our
determinations based on any discrepancies with the airframe or
whether we see any gaps in the anticipated capability," said
Santomauro. "We have about 200 test points we are trying to
accomplish." Truman provided the pilots of VX-20 the chance to make
the E-2D's much-anticipated first recovery and launch from an
aircraft carrier. "So far, the testing is going very well," said
Santomauro. "Through developmental tests we are moving toward
making determinations of whether the aircraft is suitable for
use."
"There is not going to be anything new for the guys working on
the flight deck," said Moss. "It is more about the data the pilots
are collecting while they are up there."
File Photo
This new aircraft serves as the U.S. Navy's continual effort to
maintain excellence and gain the competitive advantage over all
challengers. "We are fulfilling the CNO's vision for how he wants
to fight wars in the future," said Santomauro. "I think we are
going to link a lot of pieces together to make a more effective
fighting force."
ANN Salutes Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class
David R. Finley Jr, USS Harry S. Truman Public
Affairs.