Northrop Grumman's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Completes 1,000th Hour of Flight Testing

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UNITED STATES - 13 MAY 2009

In the blue skies over St. Augustine, Fla., Northrop Grumman's (NYSE:NOC) E-2D Advanced Hawkeye System Development and Demonstration program aircraft recently reached its 1,000th hour of flight testing. The aircraft, currently in flight testing at Northrop Grumman's East Coast Manufacturing and Flight Test Center, continues to successfully meet, or exceed, all major program and performance milestones.

"This is a significant milestone for Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy, and it is a testament to our company's continued commitment to strong program performance and to meeting our contractual obligations to our customers," said Tom Vice, sector vice president of the Battle Management and Engagement Systems Division for the company's Aerospace Systems sector. "We know the value that the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will bring to our carrier fleets. It is the next generation of force protection for those in our Navy who lead our global force projection on the open seas."

Program officials say the joint Advanced Hawkeye team has made great progress since its first flight in August 2007. "This is just one of many milestones we have achieved over the past year and a half and it's due to the hard work and dedication of the entire team," said Jim Culmo, Northrop Grumman vice president of Airborne Early Warning and Battle Management Command and Control Programs.

Culmo said the E-2D pilot production continues ahead of schedule on the first three aircraft, and radar long-range detection performance is exceeding expectations. "We are looking forward to the aircraft's transition to NAS Pax River later this year as we enter the carrier suitability testing phase," he added.

While a revolutionary weapons system today, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is built upon Northrop Grumman's strong legacy of providing world-class airborne early warning and control (AEW & C) capability to the U.S. Navy for nearly 60 years and to its international customers for more than two decades.

With the advent of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, carriers will have expanded situational and battlespace awareness to support them on today's and tomorrow's mission. "With surface detection to 200 miles (= 322 km) , air detection beyond 250 miles (= beyond 402 km), and the ability to communicate data and information to decision makers ashore and afloat, as well as individual aircraft and ships carrying on the fight, the improvements are significant," Culmo said.

While the external appearance of the E-2D is similar to the E-2C, the systems and capabilities contained in the E-2D have been completely redesigned. "The aircraft, which was designed using open architecture, ensures the aircraft is equipped with the most up-to-date, leading-edge mission tools. It also features a fully integrated state-of-the-art glass cockpit," Culmo added.

At the heart of the new E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the completely new, more powerful radar, the AN/APY-9, designed and built by a radar team led by Lockheed Martin. "It represents a two-generational leap in radar technology. The AN/APY-9 can see smaller targets and more of them at a great range than currently fielded radar systems," he added.

Developed and fielded for the U.S. Navy, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will provide maritime domain awareness including airspace control for manned and unmanned assets, monitoring of surface movements, civil support, and command and control of tactical forces.

Program Overview E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (U.S. Navy):

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is a game changer in how the U.S. 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.

With a two-generation leap in radar sensor capability and a robust network enabled capability, Advanced Hawkeye will deliver critical, actionable data to joint forces and first responders. These advances provide warfighters with the necessary situational awareness to compress the time between initial awareness and active engagement.

Some of the many new features of the Advanced Hawkeye are:

- A completely new radar featuring both mechanical and electronic
scanning capabilities
- Fully Integrated "All Glass" Tactical Cockpit
- Advanced Identification Friend or Foe System
- New Mission Computer and Tactical Workstations
- Electronic Support Measures Enhancements
- Modernized Communications and Data Link Suite

These and other new developments incorporated into the E-2D
ensure:

- True 360-degree radar coverage provides uncompromised all-
weather tracking and situational awareness
- Open architecture compliant, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)-
based hardware and software enables rapid, cost-wise technology
refresh for consistent leading-edge mission tools
- A true FORCEnet enabler - A force multiplier through network
enabled capability, Advanced Hawkeye is the gateway to Chief of
Naval Operations Admiral Michael G. Mullen's vision for a "1,000-
ship navy."
- Multimission flexibility ranging from command and control through
missile defense to border security


Northrop Grumman's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye System Development and Demonstration program aircraft recently surpassed the 1,000th hour of flight testing over the blue skies of St. Augustine, Fla With its two-generational leap in radar technology, and leading-edge mission tools, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will bring expanded situational and battlespace awareness to support the U.S. Navy's carrier fleets on today's and tomorrow's missions.






Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

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E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Integrated Test Team Recognized for Outstanding Contributions in Aerospace Weapons System Development
UNITED STATES - 3 JUNE 2009

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Integrated Test Team (ITT) - composed of military, civil service and industry personnel from Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and other aerospace industry contractors - has received the Weapons Systems Award from the Order of Daedalians, an organization that has been dedicated to supporting military services and aerospace activities for more than 75 years.

The team has been conducting developmental testing on two System Development and Demonstration (SD&D) aircraft at Northrop Grumman's East Coast Manufacturing Center in St. Augustine, Fla., since April 2007. The two aircraft will soon transition to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., to begin the aircraft carrier suitability phase of testing.

"With more than 1,000 hours of flight test completed since August 2007, the E-2D ITT has dedicated itself to working together to ensure the success of the SD&D program," said Jim Culmo, vice president of Airborne Early Warning and Battle Management Command Control Programs for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "The value of an integrated test team is the different perspectives and experience each team member brings. Through the dedication and hard work of this team, we are continuing to meet, or exceed, all major program and performance milestones."

For over 40 years, Northrop Grumman has provided the U.S. Navy with airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) capabilities. According to the Navy's Advanced Hawkeye program manager, Capt. Shane Gahagan, the completely redesigned systems and capabilities of the E-2D will provide the carrier group with expanded situational and battlespace awareness to support the warfighter on today's and tomorrow's missions.

"This has been the most challenging and rewarding project that I have ever had the privilege of working on," said Marty McCord, Contractor Flight Test director for Northrop Grumman. "There can be nothing more satisfying than working through years of planning and moving into test and having the test aircrew come back and tell you that the E-2D is truly a 'Weapon System Operators' aircraft."

In addition to this award, the E-2D ITT has been recognized as a model Integrated Test Team by Vice Adm. David Architzel, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition). The team has also received recognition as: the U.S. Navy's VX-20 Test Team of the Quarter (second quarter 2008), the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Test Team of the Year, 2007 and the 2008 James S. McDonnell Test Team of the Year from the Society of Experimental Flight Test Engineers.

Membership in the Order of Daedalians consists of commissioned, warrant and flight officer military pilots and Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS). The Daedalians Weapon Systems Award, as well as the accompanying Colonel Franklin C. Wolfe Memorial Trophy, is presented annually to individuals, groups or organizations (military or civilian) judged to have contributed the most outstanding weapons system development in the aerospace environment. The trophy is named in honor of the late Colonel Franklin C. Wolfe, who served as Assistant Chief and then Chief of the Armament Laboratory of the Army Air Forces Materiel Command from 1939 until his retirement in 1944.






Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

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Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Begins Next Phase of Flight Testing
UNITED STATES - 10 JUNE 2009

Almost 22 months after its first flight over the skies of St. Augustine, Fla., Northrop Grumman's (NYSE:NOC) 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.

"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.


Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

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Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Program Awarded $432 Million U.S. Navy Contract for Low-Rate Initial Production
UNITED STATES - 15 JUNE 2009

After successfully completing a Milestone C review, Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program has received a fixed-price, incentive fee contract award from the U.S. Navy valued at $432 million.

The contract, which includes two Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot 1 aircraft and an Advanced Acquisition Contract for two LRIP Lot 2 aircraft, is a follow-on to the company's initial, $1.9 billion E-2D Advanced Hawkeye System Development & Design contract, awarded in August 2003. In addition to the four LRIP aircraft, the company will provide associated engineering and testing.

"This contract award confirms that the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye design is stable, and we have the critical manufacturing processes in place to produce and deliver a high-quality, reliable weapons system to the warfighter," said Jim Culmo, vice president of Airborne Early Warning and Battle Management Command and Control Programs for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems sector. "The first three pilot production E-2D aircraft are moving through the production process at our manufacturing facility in St. Augustine, Fla., ahead of schedule, and we are on track to deliver the first pilot production aircraft in 2010."

"For over 40 years, the E-2 has been the lynchpin of airborne early warning and command and control," said U.S. Navy Capt Shane Gahagan, Hawkeye Greyhound program manager. "With the support of our industry partner, and all of the companies that comprise Team Hawkeye, we are ensuring that the E-2 will remain that lynchpin well into late in this century."

"Over the past year, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program has achieved many significant program milestones, including a successful Production Readiness Review in August 2008 and a successful Operational Assessment in October 2008. This is a testament to the commitment of the Advanced Hawkeye's 280-member, world-class supplier team," noted Culmo.

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, with its newly developed, more powerful AN/APY-9 Electronic Scan Array (ESA) radar, provides the warfighter with the expanded battlespace and situational awareness required for today's and tomorrow's mission.


Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

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Manufacturing of Northrop Grumman's First Low-Rate Initial Production E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Begins
UNITED STATES - 7 JULY 2009

BETHPAGE, N.Y. --- Manufacturing of Northrop Grumman Corporation's first Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, the sixth E-2D to be produced, has kicked off with the start of keel assembly at the company's East Coast Manufacturing and Flight Test Center in St. Augustine, Fla.

The work is being performed under a $432 million contract awarded June 15 by the U.S. Navy, which includes two LRIP Lot 1 aircraft and an Advanced Acquisition Contract for two LRIP Lot II aircraft, as well as associated engineering and testing.

"The start of Low-Rate Initial Production brings us one step closer to delivering this high-quality, reliable E-2D Advanced Hawkeye weapons system to the warfighter," said Jim Culmo, vice president of Airborne Early Warning and Battle Management Command and Control programs for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems sector. "In addition to this first LRIP Lot I aircraft, the first three pilot production E-2D aircraft are moving through the production process, ahead of schedule, and we are on track to deliver the first pilot production aircraft in 2010."

While the state-of-the-art E-2D's external appearance is similar to the E-2C, presently in operation with the U.S. Navy and four international customers, the systems and capabilities contained in the E-2D have been completely redesigned. At the heart of this redesign is the new, more powerful AN/APY-9 radar, designed and built by a radar team led by Lockheed Martin. Representing 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.


Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

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Northrop Grumman's Second E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Enters Next Phase of Flight Testing
UNITED STATES - 8 JULY 2009

Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) second E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, known as Delta Two, has transitioned to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, in Maryland, as part of the carrier suitability phase of testing, in preparation for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation. The first E-2D System Development and Design (SDD) aircraft, Delta One, transitioned to Pax River on May 30 and testing began shortly thereafter, led by the U.S. Navy's Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20.

"The joint Advanced Hawkeye team has been putting the two SDD aircraft through a rigorous flight test program at Northrop Grumman's Manufacturing and Flight Test Center in St. Augustine, Fla.," said Jim Culmo, vice president of Airborne Early Warning and Battle Management Command and Control programs for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "This next phase of testing -- carrier suitability -- will be the first opportunity to get the E-2D out on the carrier. We're looking forward to the first Advanced Hawkeye carrier landing as it brings us that much closer to delivering this revolutionary weapons system to the warfighter."

To ensure that aircraft operating on carriers are compatible, all naval aviation assets undergo carrier suitability testing prior to joining the fleet. The bulk of the testing involves catapult and arrested landing structural tests as well as the interoperability between the aircraft and the carrier.

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.




Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

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Such a studly force multiplier. This probably would be the single most important aircraft in our naval aviation inventory.

Thanks for the updates here and elsewhere-especially PREDATOR. You do great work keeping our technology and it's employment in front of our south asian friends. I'm appreciative.