Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye

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Name	E-2 Hawkeye
Caption	A US Navy E-2C Hawkeye

Type	Airborne early warning and control
Manufacturer	Grumman Northrop Grumman
First flight	1960
Introduced	January 1964
Status	Active service
Primary user	United States Navy
More users	(See operators)
Produced
Unit cost	US$80 million
Variants with their own articles	C-2 Greyhound

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The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the earlier E-1 Tracer, which was rapidly becoming obsolete. E-2 performance has been upgraded with the E-2B, and E-2C versions, where most of the changes were made to the radar and radio communications due to advances in electronic integrated circuits and other electronics. The fourth version of the Hawkeye is the E-2D, which first flew in 2007.

The E-2 also received the nickname "Super Fudd" because it replaced the E-1 Tracer "Willy Fudd". In recent decades, the E-2 has been commonly referred to as the "Hummer" because of the distinctive sounds of its turboprop engines, quite unlike that of turbojet and turbofan jet engines. The E-2 and its sister, the C-2 Greyhound, are currently the only propeller airplanes that operate from aircraft carriers. In addition to U.S. Navy service, smaller numbers of E-2s have been sold to the armed forces of Egypt, France, Israel, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan.

Development

Background

Continual improvements in airborne radars up through 1956 led to the construction of AEW airplanes by several different countries and several different armed forces. The functions of command and control and sea & air surveillance were also added. The first carrier-based aircraft to perform these missions for the U.S. Navy and its allies was the Douglas AD Skyraider, which was replaced in US Navy service by the Grumman E-1 Tracer, which was a modified version of the S-2 Tracker twin-engine anti-submarine warfare aircraft, where the radar was carried in an aerofoil-shaped radome carried above the aircraft's fuselage. The E-1 was used by the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1977.

E-2A and E-2B Hawkeye

In 1956, the U.S. Navy developed a requirement for an airborne early warning aircraft where its data could be integrated into the Naval Tactical Data System aboard the Navy's ships, with a design from Grumann being selected to meet this requirement in March 1957. Its design, initially designated W2F-1, but later redesignated the E-2A Hawkeye, was the first carrier plane that had been designed from its wheels up as an AEW and command and control airplane. The problems facing the design engineers at Grumman were immense and were compounded by having to constrain the design to enable the aircraft to operate from the older ‘modified Essex class’ carriers. These ‘smaller’ carriers were all built during WW2 and later modified to allow them to operate jet aircraft. Consequently, various height, weight and length restrictions had to be factored into the E-2A design, resulting in some handling characteristics which were less than ideal. The E-2A only operated from the modified Essex class for a few years before the ships were scrapped; in retrospect, the design would have benefited considerably if this requirement had been lifted from the outset and the restrictions had never been imposed.

The first prototype, acting as an aerodynamic testbed only, flew on 21 October 1960, with the first fully equipped aircraft following on 19 April 1961. The E-2A entered U.S. Navy service on January 1964.

By 1965 the major development problems were still delaying the E-2A Hawkeye got so bad that the aircraft was actually cancelled after 59 aircraft had already been built. In fact the E-2A didn't meet the expectations and was regarded as so unsatisfactory that production was halted in early 1965. Particular difficulties were being experienced because of inadequate cooling in the closely packed avionics department. Early computer and complex avionics systems generated considerable heat and, if this wasn’t channelled away effectively, caused serious problems, eventually resulting in some failure or other. These system failures continued long after the aircraft entered service and at one point reliability got so bad that the entire fleet of aircraft was grounded. Besides this the airframe was also prone to corrosion, a really serious problem in a carrier-based aircraft. The entire Hawkeye fleet was grounded at one time. Eventually in 1965, after Navy officials had been forced to explain to Congress why four production contracts had been signed before the extensive avionics testing had been completed, action was taken.

Grumman and the US Navy scrambled to improve the design. The unreliable rotary drum computer was replaced by a Litton L-304 digital computer and various other avionic systems were replaced – the upgraded aircraft were designated E-2Bs. In total 49 of the 59 E-2As were upgraded to E-2B standard and these aircraft replaced the E-1B Tracers in the various US Navy AEW squadrons and it was the E-2B that was to set a new standard for carrier-based AEW aircraft.

E-2C Hawkeye and developments

However, although the upgraded E-2B was a vast improvement on the unreliable E-2A, it was an interim measure and the US Navy knew the design had much greater capability and still had yet to achieve the performance and reliability parameters set out in the original design back in 1957. In April 1968 it instigated the next reliability improvement program. In addition, now that the capabilities of the aircraft were starting to be realized, more were needed and, as well as the 49 E-2Bs that would be upgraded, another 28 new E-2Cs were ordered. The improvements in the new and upgraded aircraft were concentrated in the radar and computer performance.

Two E-2A test machines were modified as prototypes of the E-2C, with the first flying on 20 January 1971. Trials proving satisfactory, the E-2C was ordered into production, with the first production machine performing its initial flight on 23 September 1972. The original E-2C, known as the Group 0, saw 55 aircraft built and became operational in 1973, but underwent several upgrade programs during the decades since. They began arriving on carriers in the 1980s, serving until the 1990s when they were replaced by Group II aircraft in first-line service, although some ended up in US Navy Reserve, being used to track drug smugglers.

After the experience with the E-2A/B, the E-2C Group 0 was an outstanding aircraft in service and provided an effective partner to Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighters, monitoring the airspace and then vectoring Tomcats over the Link-4 datalink to destroy potential threat with long-range Phoenix air-to-air missiles.

The next production run between 1988 and 1991 saw 18 aircraft built to the Group I standard. These Group I replaced the E-2's older APS-125 radar and T56-A-425 turboprops with their improvements, APS-139 radar systems and T56-A-427 turboprops. A total of 18 Group I aircraft were built with the first entering service on August 1981. It was thought of upgrading the old Group 0 machines to the same spec, but once a service-life extension program was factored in the upgrade was about as expensive as a new-build aircraft, and it didn't happen. This version was only flown by the Atlantic fleet squadrons. This version of the E-2 was followed within a few years by the more-improved Group II, which had the better APS-145 radar. The Group II has been incrementally upgraded with new navigational systems, better situational displays, and computerized electronics, culminating in the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 variant (sometimes called the Group III). A total of 50 Group II aircraft were delivered, 12 being upgraded Group I aircraft. This new version entered service in June 1992 and served with the Pacific and Atlantic Fleet squadrons.

By 1997 the US Navy intended that all the front-line squadrons would be equipped with a total of 75 Group II aircraft. However, Grumman merged with Northrop in 1994 and plans began to be done for the next upgrade, known as the Group II Plus, which eventually became known as the Hawkeye 2000. The Hawkeye 2000 featured the APS-145 radar with a new mission computer and CIC (Combat Information Center) workstations (Advanced Control Indicator Set or ACIS), and carries the U.S. Navy’s new CEC (cooperative engagement capability) data-link system. It is also fitted with a larger capacity vapor cycle avionics cooling system. A variant of the Group II with the upgrades to the mission computer and CIC workstations is referred to as the MCU/ACIS. All Group II aircraft have had their 1960s vintage computer-processors replaced by a mission computer with the same functionality but built using more modern computer technology. This is referred to as the GrIIM RePr (Group II Mission Computer Replacement Program, pronounced "grim reaper").

Starting in 2007, a hardware and software upgrade package began to be added to existing Hawkeye 2000 aircraft that allows faster processing, double current trackfile capacity, and access to satellite information networks. Hawkeye 2000 cockpits being upgraded to include solid-state glass displays, modern weather detection systems, and a GPS-approach capability.

E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

Though once considered for replacement by the "Common Support Aircraft", this conception never went into production, and the Hawkeye will continue in its role as the Navy's primary AEW aircraft for years into the future in the E-2D version.

The latest version of the E-2, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, is currently under development and the first two aircraft, "Delta One" and "Delta Two" are in flight testing. The E-2D features an entirely new avionics suite, including the new APY-9 radar, radio suite, mission computer, integrated satellite communications capability, flight management system, improved turboprop engines, a new "glass cockpit", and the added capability for air-to-air refueling. The APY-9 radar features an Active Electronically Scanned Array, which adds electronic scanning to the mechanical rotation of the radar in its radome. The E-2D will include provisions for either one of the pilots to act as a Tactical 4th Operator, who will have access to the full range of the mission's acquired data. The E-2D's first flight occurred on 3 August 2007. The E-2D will undergo Initial Operational Test and Evaluation in 2011.

On May 8, 2009, an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye used "Cooperative Engagement Capability" to engage an overland cruise missile with a Standard Missile SM-6 fired from another platform in an integrated fire-control system test. Deliveries of initial production E-2Ds to Navy are to begin in 2010.

Design

The E-2 is a high-wing airplane, with one turboprop engine in each wing, and tricycle landing gear. As with all carrier-borne airplanes, the E-2 is equipped with a tail hook for landings, and it is capable of using the aircraft carrier's catapults for take-off. A distinguishing feature of the Hawkeye is its 24-foot (7.3 m) diameter rotating dome that is mounted above its fuselage and wings. This carries the E-2's primary antennas for its long-range radars. No other carrier-borne aircraft possesses one of these, and among land-based aircraft, they are mostly seen atop the Boeing's E-3 Sentry, a larger AEW airplane operated by the U.S. Air Force and NATO air forces in large numbers.

The aircraft is operated by a crew of five, with the pilot and co-pilot on the flight deck and the combat information center officer, air control officer and radar operator stations located in the rear fuselage directly beneath the rotodome.

In U.S. service, the E-2 Hawkeye provides all-weather airborne early warning and command and control capabilities for all aircraft-carrier battle groups. In addition, its other purposes include sea and land surveillance, the control of the aircraft carrier's fighter planes for air defense, the control of strike aircraft on offensive missions, the control of search and rescue missions for naval aviators and sailors lost at sea, and for the relay of radio communications, air-to-air and ship-to-air.

The E-2C and E-2D Hawkeyes use advanced electronic sensors combined with digital computerized signal processing especially its radars for early warning of enemy aircraft attacks and anti-ship missile attacks, and the control of the carrier's combat air patrol (CAP) fighters, and secondarily for surveillance of the surrounding sea and land for enemy warships and guided-missile launchers, and any other electronic surveillance missions as directed.

Operational history

US Navy

The E-2A entered U.S. Navy service on January 1964, and in April 1964 with VAW-11 at NAS North Island.

Since entering combat during the Vietnam War, the E-2 has served the US Navy around the world, acting as the electronic "eyes of the fleet". Hawkeyes from the air wing VAW-123 aboard the aircraft carrier directed a group of F-14 Tomcat fighters flying the Combat Air Patrol during Operation El Dorado Canyon, the joint strike of two Carrier Battle Groups in the Mediterranean Sea against Libyan terrorist targets during 1986. More recently, E-2Cs provided the command and control for both aerial warfare and land-attack missions during the Persian Gulf War. Hawkeyes have supported the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Customs Service, and American federal and state police forces during anti-drug operations.

In the mid-1980s, several E-2Cs were bailed from the U.S. Navy to the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Customs Service for counternarcotics (CN) and maritime interdiction operations (MIO). This also led to the Coast Guard building a small cadre of Naval Flight Officers (NFOs), starting with the recruitment and interservice transfer of former naval officers with E-2 flight experience and the flight training of other junior Coast Guard officers as NFOs. A fatal aircraft mishap on 24 August 1990 involving a U.S. Coast Guard E-2C at the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico prompted the Coast Guard to discontinue flying E-2Cs and to return its borrowed E-2Cs to the Navy. The U.S Customs Service also returned its E-2Cs to the Navy and concentrated on the use of former U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft in the CN role.

E-2C Hawkeye squadrons played a critical role in air operations during Operation Desert Storm. In one instance, a Hawkeye crew provided critical air control direction to two F/A-18 Hornet aircrew, resulting in the shootdown of two Iraqi MiG-21s. During Operations Southern Watch and Desert Fox, Hawkeye crews continued to provide thousands of hours of air coverage, while providing air-to-air and air-to-ground command and control in a number of combat missions.

The E-2 Hawkeye is a crucial component of all U.S. Navy carrier air wings, and each carrier is equipped with four Hawkeyes (five in some situations), allowing for continuous 24-hour-a-day operation of at least one Hawkeye, and allowing for one or two of them to be undergoing maintenance in the aircraft carrier's hangar deck at all times. Until 2005 the US Navy Hawkeye’s were organised into East and West coast wings, supporting the respective fleets. However, the East coast wing was disestablished and all aircraft are now organised into a single wing based at Point Mugu, California. Six E-2C Hawkeye aircraft are deployed by the US Naval Reserve for drug interdiction and homeland security operations.

During Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom all ten Regular Navy Hawkeye squadrons flew overland sorties. They provided battle management for attack of enemy ground targets, close-air-support coordination, combat search and rescue control, airspace management, as well as datalink and communication relay for both land and naval forces. During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, three Hawkeye squadrons (two Regular Navy and one Navy Reserve) were deployed in support of civilian relief efforts including Air Traffic Control responsibilities spanning three states, and the control of U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, and Army National Guard and Air National Guard helicopter rescue units.

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Hawkeye 2000s first deployed in 2003 aboard with VAW-117, the "Wallbangers", and CVW-11. U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeyes have been upgraded with eight-bladed propellers as part of the NP2000 program; the first squadron to cruise with the new propellers was VAW-124 "Bear Aces". The latest version can track more than 2,000 targets simultaneously (while at the same time, detecting 20,000 simultaneously) to a range greater than and simultaneously guide 40–100 air to air intercepts or air to surface engagements.

VAW-120, the E-2C fleet replacement squadron began receiving E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes for operational use in July 2010. Initial operating capability for an E-2D fleet squadron ready for operational deployment has slipped to October 2014.

Other operators

E-2 Hawkeyes have been sold by the U.S. Federal Government under Foreign Military Sales (FMS) procedures to the armed forces of Egypt, France, Israel, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan (in alphabetical order).

French Naval Aviation

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The French Naval Aviation (Aeronavale) operates three E-2C Hawkeye and has been the only operator of the E-2 Hawkeye from an aircraft carrier besides the U.S. Navy. The French nuclear-powered carrier, the Charles De Gaulle, currently carries two E-2C Hawkeyes on her combat patrols offshore. The three French E-2C Hawkeye have been upgraded with eight-bladed propellers as part of the NP2000 program. In April 2007, France requested the foreign military sale (FMS) of an additional aircraft.

The Flotille 4F of the French Navy's Aeronavale flies its E-2C Hawkeyes from its naval air station at Lann-Bihoue or the «Charles de Gaulle» aircraft carrier. They took part in operations in Afghanistan and Libya.

Japan Self Defense Air Force

JASDF bought thirteen E-2C to improve its Early warning capabilities. The E-2C was put into service with the Airborne Early Warning Group (AEWG) at JASDF Misawa Air Base in January 1987.

On September 6, 1976, Soviet Air Force pilot Viktor Belenko successfully defected, landing his MiG-25 'Foxbat' at Hakodate Airport, Japan. During this incident, Japan Self-Defense Force radar lost track of the aircraft when Belenko flew his MiG-25 at a low altitude, prompting the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to consider procurement of airborne early warning aircraft.

E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft was considered to be the prime candidate for the airborne early warning mission by JASDF. However, the Japan Defense Agency (realized that the E-3 would not be readily available due to USAF needs and opted to procure E-2 Hawkeye AWACS aircraft. The E-2C was put into service with the Airborne Early Warning Group (AEWG) at JASDF Misawa Air Base in January 1987.

Mexico

In 2004, three former Israel Air Force E-2C aircraft were sold to the Mexican Navy to perform maritime and shore surveillance missions. These aircraft were upgraded locally by IAI. The first Mexican E-2C was rolled out in January 2004.

Singapore

The Republic of Singapore Air Force acquired four Grumman E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft in 1987, which are assigned to the 111 Squadron "Jaeger" based at Tengah Air Base. Its primary function is to perform airborne surveillance and early warning. Other functions include aircraft intercept control, surface surveillance, air traffic control and airborne coordination for search and rescue operations.

In April 2007, it was announced that the 4 E-2C Hawkeyes were to be replaced with 4 Gulfstream G550s which would become the primary early warning aircraft of the Singapore Air Force.

Israel

Israel was the first export customer, its four Hawkeyes were delivered during 1981, complete with the folding wings characteristic of carrier borne aircraft. The four examples were soon put into active service before and during Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1982 during which they won a resounding victory over Syrian air defenses and fighter control. They were central to the Israeli victory in the air battles over the Bekaa Valley during which more than 90 Syrian fighters were downed. The Hawkeyes were also the linchpins of the operation in which the IAF destroyed the SAM array in the Bekaa, coordinating the various stages of the operation, vectoring planes into bombing runs and directing intercepts. Under the constant defense of F-15 Eagles, there were always two Hawkeyes on station off the Lebanese coast, controlling the various assets in the air and detecting any Syrian aircraft upon their takeoff, eliminating any chance of surprise.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) operated four E-2s

Taiwan

Taiwan acquired four Grumman E-2T aircraft from the US on 22 November 1995, which has extended the advance warning time of any attack from five to 25 minutes, bolstering Taiwan's limited protection against naval or air attack from mainland China. On 15 April 2006 Taiwan commissioned two new E-2K Hawkeye at an official ceremony at the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) base in Pingdong in southern Taiwan.

Egypt

Egypt purchased five E-2C Hawkeye, that entered service in 1987 the E-2C Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning (AEW) and were upgraded to Hawkeye 2000 standard. One additional upgraded E-2C was purchased. The first upgraded aircraft was delivered in March 2003 and deliveries were concluded in late 2008. Egypt requested two additional excess E-2C aircraft in October 2007, that were not sold. They all operate in 601 AEW Brigade, Cairo-West.

Offers

In December 2007, the United Arab Emirates requested the sale of three upgraded E-2C aircraft.

In August 2009, the U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman briefed the Indian Navy on the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. This covered potential use of this platform to satisfy its current shore-based and future carrier-based Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C;) requirements. The Indian Navy reportedly expressed interest in acquiring up to six Hawkeyes.

Variants

;W2F-1 : Original designation of the Hawkeye, changed to E-2A in 1962. ;E-2A : Initial production version, was W2F-1 before 1962. 59 built. ;;E-2C Group I ::New radar (AN/APS-139), plus ungraded mission computer and upgraded engines. 18 new build aircraft. ;;E-2C Group 2 ::AN/APS-145 radar, further improved electronics. ; Republic of China Air Force has four E-2Ts and two E-2C Hawkeye 2000s. The four E-2Ts had been approved to be upgraded to Hawkeye 2000 configuration.

*2nd Early Warning Squadron ROCAF

;

United States Navy

*VAW-77 Night Wolves (Navy Reserve Force Squadron)

*VAW-78 Fighting Escargot (Navy Reserve Force Squadron; disestablished)

*VAW-88 Cottonpickers (Navy Reserve Force Squadron; disestablished)

*VAW-110 Firebirds (Fleet Replacement Squadron - Pacific Fleet FRS; disestablished)

*VAW-111 Graybirds (Disestablished)

*VAW-112 Golden Hawks

*VAW-113 Black Eagles

*VAW-114 Hormel Hawgs (Disestablished, April 1995)

*VAW-115 Liberty Bells

*VAW-116 Sun Kings

*VAW-117 Wallbangers

*VAW-120 Greyhawks (Fleet Replacement Squadron - originally Atlantic Fleet FRS, now single-site FRS for entire E-2 community)

*VAW-121 Bluetails

*VAW-122 Steeljaws (Disestablished)

*VAW-123 Screwtops

*VAW-124 Bear Aces

*VAW-125 Tigertails

*VAW-126 Seahawks

*VAW-127 Seabats (Disestablished)

*VX-20 Force Aircraft Test

*Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (CAEWWS; merged into NSAWC)

*Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC)

U.S. Coast Guard

CGAW-1 (Disestablished)

Aircraft on display

E-2B, BuNo 150540, National Museum of Naval Aviation, NAS Pensacola, Florida E-2B, BuNo 152476, Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, NAS Patuxent River, Maryland |crew= Five: two pilots, combat information center officer, the air control officer, and the radar operator |capacity= |length main= 57 ft 7 in |length alt= 17.56 m |span main= 80 ft 7 in |span alt= 24.58 m |height main= 18 ft 3 in |height alt= 5.6 m |area main= 700 ft² |area alt= 65 m² |airfoil= |empty weight main= 37,678 lb |empty weight alt= 18,090 kg |loaded weight main= 40,200 lb |loaded weight alt= 18,090 kg |useful load main= |useful load alt= |max takeoff weight main= 53,000 lb |max takeoff weight alt= 23,850 kg |engine (prop)= Allison T56-A-425 or -427 |type of prop= turboprop |number of props= 2 |power main= 5,100 shp (-427) |power alt= 3,800 kW |max speed main= 300+ knots |max speed alt= 375 mph, 552 km/h |cruise speed main= |cruise speed alt= |never exceed speed main= |never exceed speed alt= |stall speed main= |stall speed alt= |range main= |range alt= |range more= |combat radius main= |combat radius alt= |combat radius more= |ferry range main= 1,525 nmi |ferry range alt= 2,824 km |endurance= |ceiling main= 30,000 ft |ceiling alt= 9,100 m |climb rate main= 2,515 ft/min |climb rate alt= 13 m/s |power/mass main= 0.19 hp/lb |power/mass alt= 0.32 kW/kg |loading main= 72.7 lb/ft² |loading alt= 355 kg/m² |armament= |avionics= }}

See also

References

;Notes ;Bibliography

Donald, David, ed. "E-2 Hawkeye". Warplanes of the Fleet. AIRtime, 2004. ISBN 1-880588-81-1.

Godfrey, David W. H. "Hawkeye:A New Dimension in Tactical Warfare". Air International, January 1977, Vol 12 No 1. Bromley, UK:Fine Scroll. pp. 7–13, 42–44.

Jackson, Mark. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0 7106 2537 5.

Neubeck, Ken. E-2 Hawkeye Walk Around. Squadron/Signal Publications, 2008. ISBN 0-89747-555-0.

Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. United States Navy Aircraft since 1911. London:Putnam, Second edition, 1976. ISBN 0 370 10054 9.

Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1976. ISBN 0 354 00538 3.

Winchester, Jim. "E-2 Hawkeye Developments". Air International, December 2005, Vol 69 No 6. Stamford, UK:Key Publishing. pp. 46–49.

Winchester, Jim, ed. Military Aircraft of the Cold War (The Aviation Factfile). London: Grange Books plc, 2006. ISBN 1-84013-929-3.

External links

E-2 fact file and E-2C Hawkeye history page on US Navy site

E-2 page on GlobalSecurity.org

E-2D Hawkeye: The Navy’s New AWACS on Defense Industry Daily

"Advanced Hawkeye promises quantum leap in US Navy's AEW capability", Jane's, 30 June 2006.

"Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Completes First Flight", Northrop Grumman, 3 August 2007

Marine nationale - Hawkeye on Alabordache.fr Gallery of photographs of the French E-2C Hawkeye on NetMarine.net

Taiwan Air Power E-2T page

Category:Grumman aircraft Category:Carrier-based aircraft Category:AWACS aircraft Category:Gulf War aircraft Category:United States Coast Guard Aviation