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Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
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Type (Muster)
Carrier-based airborne early warning and control aircraft (Frühwarnflugzeug für den Einsatz auf Flugzeugträgern)
Country (Land)
USA
Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Northrop Grumman (Integrated Systems)
South Oyster Bay Road
Bethpage, New York 11714
USA
Phone: 001-516/575-5119
Internet: www.is.northropgrumman.com
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 Rolls-Royce T56-A-427A turboprops with FADEC
Power (Leistung): 2 x 3800 kW (5100 shp)
Propeller: Hamilton Sundstrand/Ratier Figeac NP2000 eight blade all-composite design
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): about 18363 kg
Max. fuel (max. Kraftstoff): 5625 kg
Max. take-off weight (max. Startmasse): about 25850 kg
Max. landing weight (max. Landemasse): 20410 kg
Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. level speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit): 626 km/h
Max.cruise speed (max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): 602 km/h
Long range cruise speed (Langstrecken-Marchgeschwindigkeit): 480 km/h
Approach speed (Anfluggeschwindigkeit): 191 km/h
Climb rate (Steigrate): 12,8 m/s
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 11275 m (37000 ft)
Normal operating altitude (Einsatzhöhe): 25000 ft
Minimum take-off run (Startrollstrecke an Land): 565 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)
A 1,932 billion US-Dollar System Development and Demonstration (SD&D) contract was awarded on August 4, 2003.
The $408 million pilot production contract for three aircraft was awarded to Northrop Grumman on July 9, 2007.
Customers (Kunden)
The US Navy plans to procure at least 75 E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, it was said in 2007.
Competitors (Konkurrenz)
As a carrier AEW aircraft, the Hawkeye is unique, but in land-based applications it has to contend with competition from the Boeing 737 AEW (Wedgetail).
Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The E-2D is an upgraded version of the Hawkeye, retaining the external shape of the AEW family but featuring completely redesigned systems like:
- AN/APY-9 radar form Lockheed Martin. The new rotodome contains an electronically scanned array antenna (ADS-18) that provides, continuous, 360-degree scanning. This capability allows flight operators to focus the radar on select areas of interest. Range (300 NM were mentioned) and ground clutter restistance is improved for littoral operations.
- reworked cockpit with three large colour LCDs (17 inch). This allows for one of the two pilots to serve as an additional operator when necessary.
- new radar system workstations
- improved satellite communications
- improved avionics including terrain avoidance system and global air trafic management system enhancements.
- re-design on a number of substructures, with more machined components being used
Manufacture is at Northrop Grumman's East Coast Aviation Manufacturing Center in St. Augustine, Florida.
Suppliers for the E-2D include:
- Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems: principal radar-system supplier, teamed with Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Baltimore, and Raytheon Company's Space & Airborne Systems, El Segundo, Calif.
- BAE Systems is responsible for the identification friend-or-foe system
- L-3 Communications Randtron Antenna Systems is developing the ultra high-frequency electronically scanned array antenna
- Northrop Grumman's Navigation Systems division provides the new, integrated tactical cockpit.
- L-3 provides the radar antenna
History (Geschichte)
In late 2001, the US Navy sought a new Hawkeye version.
On 3 December 2001, the U.S. Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a $49 million Pre-Systems Development and Demonstration (Pre-SD&D) contract for the E-2C Hawkeye Radar Modernization Program (RMP). Under the 12-month Pre-SD&D contract, Integrated Systems defined the physical architecture of the next-generation E-2C mission system, produced the preliminary weapon system specification and provided associated program plans.
In late 2002 and 2003, a test radar was flown on an HC-130 Hercules.
After about eight months delay, the 1,932 billion US-Dollar System Development and Demonstration (SD&D) contract for the E-2 Advanced Hawkeye was awarded on August 4, 2003. It was expected to run to December 2012. The money included 413,5 million US-Dollars for Lockheed Martin radar work. IOC was targeted for 2011. The Defense Acquisition Board had granted approval on 6 June 2003.
In early 2004, Northrop Grumman implemented a Virtual Design Environment, to integrate its facilities in Bethpage and St. Augustine during the Advanced Hawkeye development.
The Preliminary Design Review for the Advanced Hawkeye was successfully executed in October 2004.
A „keel start“ ceremony for the E-2D was held at St. Augustine on 25 April 2005.
Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy successfully completed the critical design review of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye in mid-November 2005.
In July 2006, Northrop Grumman reported that is has mated the major subassemblies of the first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye test aircraft at its St. Augustine, Fla., manufacturing center into a single fuselage structure.
The first Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye made its first public appearance at rollout ceremonies in St. Augustine on 30 April 2007.
A 408 million US-Dollar pilot production contract for three aircraft was awarded to Northrop Grumman on 9 July 2007. They will be delivered by August 2010.
The first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye development aircraft, known as Delta One, completed its first flight on 3 August 2007.. Northrop Grumman Flight Test Pilot Tom Boutin and U.S. Navy Flight Test Pilot Lt. Drew Ballinger along with Northrop Grumman Flight Test Lead Weapon Systems Operator Zyad Hajo lifted off shortly before 11 a.m. from St. Augustine and flew for approximately 1.3 hours. The second SD&D aircraft was then scheduled for its first flight later in 2007.
After the first flight, plans were for the E-2D tests to remain at St. Augustine until the autumn of 2008, and then continuing at NAS Patuxent River from early 2009.
E-2D's initial operational capability is scheduled for 2011, it was said in 2007. Production rates of 3 to 4 aircraft a year were envisaged.
See also the first flight news release here...!
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