Northrop-Grumman bird has been flying since 1964, debuted in Vietnam, still going strong

The one millionth flight hour of the E-2 Hawkeye, the Navy's all-weather, carrier-based tactical battle management airborne early warning, command and control aircraft, was celebrated this past weekend in Norfolk, Va. The milestone was commemorated at the annual East Coast Hawkeye-Greyhound Ball by the U.S. Navy and the aircraft’s manufacturer, Northrop Grumman Corporation.

“The Hawkeye will remain the eyes of the fleet and will provide the foundation upon which warfighting will be transformed in the coming years,” relates NAVAIR E-2/C-2 Program Manager, Captain Robert LaBelle. “We look forward to the two millionth flight hour celebration!”

Introduced in 1964, the E-2 Hawkeye was the first carrier-based aircraft designed to perform the all-weather airborne early warning and command and control mission. Since its combat debut during the Vietnam conflict, the E-2 has served the U.S. Navy around the world.

The current version of the Hawkeye, the E-2C, became operational in 1973. In the 1980s Hawkeyes directed naval aviation forces flying combat air patrol during strikes against terrorist-related Libyan targets. In the early 1990s, E-2s provided airborne command and control for successful Coalition Air Operations during the first Arabian Gulf War, supported Operations Northern and Southern Watch over Iraq and NATO operations over the former Republic of Yugoslavia, including Operation Deny Flight.

Recently in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, E-2 Hawkeyes provided critical Airborne Battle Management and Command and Control functions supporting numerous Close Air Support and Battlefield Air Interdiction missions. E-2s also have worked extremely effectively with U.S. law enforcement agencies in drug interdiction efforts.

Variants of the E-2C Hawkeye are also flown by the Egyptian Air Force, Japanese Self Defense Air Force, Royal Singapore Air Force, Taiwan Air Force, and the French Navy.

The E-2C has undergone several upgrades in recent years. The newest variant of the E-2C, the Hawkeye 2000, was introduced in 2002. Hawkeye 2000’s new mission computer, improved radar displays and Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), combined with the shipboard Aegis weapon system, will form the cornerstone of future sea based Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (TBMD).

After four decades and one million flight hours, the Hawkeye’s future is bright as NAVAIR and industry teams are currently working on development of the ‘Advanced Hawkeye’, which is scheduled to be introduced to the Fleet in 2011.

"From its beginnings performing carrier group self defense to its pivotal role as a Joint Command and Control asset during OIF and a million hours in between, the E-2C is as relevant today as it was four decades ago," says Philip A. Teel Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems sector Vice President. "Current initiatives align future capabilities to the Navy' Seapower 21 Vision. This will guarantee future relevancy for the system as the centerpiece for joint operations as the Navy' battle management and command and control server in the ForceNet Architecture. Today, as in the past, we are working closely with our customer on our Joint Technology Roadmap. These architectural investments will continue to improve the capabilities of the Hawkeye 2000 and ensure that the Advanced Hawkeye will meet all of the CNO's requirements for Sea Power 21."

FMI: www.navair.navy.mil