U.S. Navy awards contract to Northrop Grumman for 25 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft

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Naval Forces News - USA
 
 
 
U.S. Navy awards contract to Northrop Grumman for 25 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft
 
In a decision that will save the federal government about $369 million, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded a $3.643 billion multi-year procurement contract to Northrop Grumman Corp. on June 30 for 25 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft.
     
In a decision that will save the federal government about $369 million, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded a $3.643 billion multi-year procurement contract to Northrop Grumman Corp. on June 30 for 25 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft.
NORFOLK (March 20, 2014) An E-2D Hawkeye assigned to the Tiger Tails of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 flies over Naval Station Norfolk. VAW-125 provides airborne early warning and command and control to Carrier Air Wing 1 and is assigned aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ernest R. Scott/Released)
     

The five-year contract covers the purchase of full-rate production (FRP) E-2D aircraft, Lots two through six, during fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2018.

“The multi-year contract award increases the affordability of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, achieving the best price with taxpayer dollars,” said Capt. John Lemmon, E-2/C-2 Airborne Tactical Data System Program Office (PMA-231) program manager. “PMA-231 is committed to providing the warfighter with this interoperable weapon system. The program office’s unified mission focus and expertise will enable the E-2D aircraft to meet initial operational capability (IOC) at the start of next fiscal year.”

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the newest variant of the E-2 aircraft platform. It features a state-of-the-art radar and upgraded aircraft systems, which will improve supportability and increase readiness. The program is on track for IOC, or in fiscal 2015. When fielded to the fleet, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will join the F/A-18 and EA-18G Growler to comprise the future carrier flight deck, which will continue the Navy’s integrated warfighting legacy.

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye joins the E-2C and Hawkeye 2000 in providing its command and control capability to coordinate multiple missions, including air warfare, strike warfare, surface warfare and search-and-rescue operations.

Serving as a “digital quarterback,” the E-2D surveils the environment with its onboard sensors and processes this data with its tactical mission computer. It distributes the tactical picture to command centers and other assets through its onboard communication subsystems. The Navy also uses this capability to participate in humanitarian and disaster-relief operations.