Friday, February 15, 2013

Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye approved for full-rate production

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye has been approved to enter full-rate production by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). The E-2D had earlier been declared operationally suitable and effective in a report after the successful completion of a 10-month initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) by the US Navy.

The E-2 is a high-wing, twin turboprop aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear and equipped with a tail hook for landings on aircraft carriers. A rotodome is mounted on top of the fuselage to provide Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C).

The E-2D is the latest and most advanced version of the E-2 Hawkeye designed by Northrop Grumman Corporation. The E2-D features:
  • A new APY-9 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar with both mechanical and electronic scanning capabilities
  • A fully Integrated Glass Tactical Cockpit
  • An Advanced Identification Friend or Foe System
  • A new Mission Computer and Tactical Workstations
  • Electronic Support Measures enhancements
  • A modernized Communications and Data Link Suite
  • Improved T56-A-427A turboprop engines
The E-2D offers full support for Cooperative Engagement Capability and is set to become the cornerstone of the US Navy defense in conjunction with other systems, such as the Aegis System.

Northrop Grumman has already delivered 9 E-2D aircraft to the US Navy and another 11 units are currently in various stages of manufacturing and pre-delivery flight-testing.

A further 55 E-2D aircraft are expected to be delivered over the next 10 years for a total of 75 aircraft. The US Navy expects to declare initial operational capability with the E-2D in 2015.

Specifications
Crew: 5, including pilot, copilot, Radar Officer (RO), Combat Information Center Officer (CICO), Aircraft Control Officer (ACO)
Length: 17.60 m
Wingspan: 24.56 m
Height: 5.58 m
Empty weight: 18090 kg
Loaded weight: 19536 kg
Max. takeoff weight: 26083 kg
Maximum speed: 648 km/h
Cruise speed: 474 km/h
Ferry range: 2708 km
Endurance: 6 hrs
Service ceiling: 10576 m
Powerplant: 2 Allison / Rolls-Royce T56-A-427A turboprops, 5,100 shp each


http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=10021362



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