E-2C Hawkeye
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E-2C Hawkeye Tactical airborne early warning aircraft (AEW)
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The E-2 Hawkeye is the Navy's all-weather, carrier-based tactical battle management airborne early warning, command and control 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. The E-2 is a twin engine, five crewmember, high-wing turboprop aircraft with a 24-foot diameter radar rotodome attached to the upper fuselage. The Hawkeye provides all-weather airborne early warning, airborne battle management and command and control functions for the Carrier Strike Group and Joint Force Commander. Additional missions include surface surveillance coordination, air interdiction, offensive and defensive counter air control, close air support coordination, time critical strike coordination, search and rescue airborne coordination and communications relay. An integral component of the Carrier Strike Group air wing, the E-2C uses computerized radar, Identification Friend or Foe and electronic surveillance sensors to provide early warning, threat analysis against potentially hostile air and surface targets |
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- E-2A: Initial production version.
- E-2B: As E-2A but fitted with improved computing, enlarged outer fins. - E-2C: As the E-2B but with all new electronics, surveillance radar and search radar, 63 built. In "plus-models" the E-2C also has upgraded turboprop engines. - E-2C Group 0: Initial production version of E-2C, fitted with AN/APS-120 or AN/APS-125 radar. Lengthened nose compared to earlier versions. - 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. - E-2C Hawkeye 2000: New mission computer, Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC and additional satellite communications aerial. Originally designated Group 2+. - E-2D: Currently undergoing flight testing and Initial Operational Test and Evaluation. This version will feature an entirely new avionics suite, improved engines, a new "glass cockpit" and the potential for air-to-air refueling. - E-2T: E-2C variant for Republic of China (Taiwan), with parts taken from retired E-2Bs. Same level of electronics as the E-2C Group II Hawkeyes with their APS-145 radars |
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| Design | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The E-2C is a high-wing airplane, with one turboprop engine in each wing, and retractable tricycle landing gear. As with most 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 7.3 m diameter rotating dome that is mounted above its fuselage and wings. The E-2C Hawkeye 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.
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The E-2C 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.
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The E-2C was originally fitted with two Allison T56-A-425 turboprop engines, but since the introduction of E-2C group I variants, T56A-427 engines rated at 3,800kW of output power have been fitted. With the new engines, the E-2C can cruise on station for more than four hours, up to 200 miles from base.
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The primary role of the E-2C Hawkeye aircraft supplied by Northrop Grumman is as an all-weather airborne early-warning aircraft to the naval task force. The Lockheed Martin AN/APS-145 radar is capable of tracking more than 2,000 targets and controlling the interception of 40 hostile targets. One radar sweep covers six million cubic miles. It is capable of detecting aircraft at ranges greater than 550km.
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