Northrop Grumman has started producing the first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye for the French Navy at its facility in St. Augustine, Florida.
The aircraft is part of a $353.6 million contract signed in 2021, under which the US firm will produce three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft for France, with the first delivery expected in 2027.
The new platforms will replace Paris’ aging fleet of E-2C Hawkeye 2000 aircraft, which have been in service for over 25 years.
The E-2D introduces several enhancements over its predecessor, most notably the capability for aerial refueling to extend operational range.
“We are proud to have supported the French Navy with the Hawkeye 2000, and we look forward to providing a generational leap in decision dominance with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye,” Janice Zilch, Northrop’s VP of multi-domain command and control programs, stated.
‘Digital Quarterback’
Northrop described the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye as a “digital quarterback” for battle management command and control.
It supports operational safety in a variety of missions, including missile defense, border security, and coordinated battlefield operations.
To boost situational awareness, the aircraft is equipped with a 360-degree radar with mechanical and electronic scanning capabilities.
It features an all-glass tactical cockpit and an advanced Identification Friend or Foe system, while an open architecture design allows for fast updates and integrations.
