Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye

Type (Muster)
Carrier-based airborne early warning aircraft (Frühwarnflugzeug für den Einsatz auf Flugzeugträgern)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Northrop Grumman

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 2 in the cockpit plus three in the cabin to operate the systems (CIC officer, air control officer and radar operator)

Power plant (Antrieb): 2 x Allison T56-A-427 turboprops
Power (Leistung): 2 x 3803 kW (5100 ehp)
Propeller: Hamilton Standard, 4,11 m diameter

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 17,60 m
Height (Höhe): 5,58 m
Span (Spannweite): 24,56 m
Wingspan, folded (Spannweite mit beigeklappten Flächen): 8,94 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 65,03 sq m
Rotodome diameter (Durchmesser der Antenne): 7,32 m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): 18363 kg
Max. fuel (Max. Kraftstoff): 5624 kg
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 24687 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. level speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit): 626 km/h
Max.cruise speed (max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): 602 km/h
Long range cruise speed (Langstrecken-Reisegeschwindigkeit): 480 km/h
Climb rate (Steigrate): 767 m/min???
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 11275 m (37000 ft)
Minimum take-off run (Startrollstrecke an Land): 656 m
Landing run (Landerollstrecke): 440 m
Range (Reichweite): 2855 km at ferry speed
Time on station (Patrouillienzeit): 4 h 24 min at 320 km from base
Endurance (Einsatzdauer): 6 h 15 min with maximum fuel

Costs (Kosten)
France pays around 562 million US-Dollars for two aircraft, including support.

Customers (Kunden)
The E-2C has been ordered by the following services:

150 for the US Navy. This includes 100 Group 0, 18 Group I and 32 Group II models. Production of 139 was completed by March 1994 at Calverton, but resumed with new order at St. Augustine in Florida.
6 for Egypt (Ägypten), delivered in 1987/88 and 1993 (1).Egyptian Hawkeyes are based at Cairo West.
2 for France (Frankreich) for use on the new Charles de Gaulle carrier. Deliveries to begin in 1998, with first operations from Lann-Bihoué.
4 for Israel, delivered in 1977/1978 and probably no longer in use
14 for Japan, deliverd in 1982 (4), 1984 (4), 1985 (4) and 1993 (2). All surviving 13 aircraft are in service with the 601st Hikotai at Misawa.
4 for Singapore, delivered in 1985 and 1986, were first used for training in the USA. No. 111 Squadron is based at Tenagh
4 for Taiwan, but these are known as E-3Ts and are actually rebuilt ex-US Navy E-2Bs. Based at Pintung. Handed over in September 1995.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
As a carrier AEW aircraft, the Hawkeye is unique, but in land-based applications it has to contend with competition from modified C-130 Hercules.

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The Hawkeye first flew on 21. October 1960, and a total of 59 E-2As was built, most of them later to be refurbished as E-2Bs. Grumman then used two airframes as prototypes for the E-2C, which made its maiden flight on 20. January 1971. The first production aircraft followed on 23. September 1972. Service entry was with VAW-123 at NAS Norfolk in November 1973.
During the years, the E-2C was continuously upgraded, especially the radar and computer systems now being much better than at the beginning. Current Group II aircraft were delivered from December 1991 and have an APS-145 radar and new mission computers, giving 400 per cent extra target tracking capabilities.

Last updated 20. December 1997

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