Air
Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1 combined forces with Carrier Airborne
Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 120 to bring a joint detachment to Naval
Air Station Jacksonville Jan. 16, to help meet its schedule for the
E-2D Hawkeye Initial Operational Test and Evaluation.
The squadrons are conducting four weeks of operational evaluations in
conjunction with the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Composite Training Unit
Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) underway in
the Atlantic Ocean.
The new Northrop Grumman E-2D Hawkeye is the Navy's latest carrier-based
airborne early warning, battle management command and control system
that works in concert with surface ships equipped with the Aegis combat
system.
"The Hawkeye is highly valued by admirals who want to know what
friends and foes are in the vicinity of their carrier strike group.
Where naval surface ship surveillance systems like Aegis can only see
as far as the horizon, VAW aircraft fly above the curvature of the earth
to provide the strike group's command and control leadership with a
more expansive look of potential battle spaces," said Officer-in-Charge
Lt. Cmdr. Dave Champaigne of VAW-120.
VX-1 E-2D Operational Test Director Lt. Cmdr. Greg Harkins said, "The
new E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is able to scan a larger area, detect smaller
targets, process data about those targets faster, and transform all
of that information into improved situational awareness for strike group
leadership."
Champaigne said, "This is an unusual mission for VAW-120. We're
glad to assist our brethren at VX-1 and help keep the fleet introduction
of the E-2D on schedule."
VAW-120, based at Naval Station Norfolk Chambers Field, is the fleet
replacement squadron (FRS) for the E-2C and E-2D Hawkeyes, and the C-2A
Greyhound. The FRS is responsible for training pilots, naval flight
officers (NFOs) and maintenance personnel for fleet operational squadrons.
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"The tasking of our joint detachment at NAS
Jax comes to VX-1 from Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force
(COMOPTEVFOR) and Commander Strike Force Training Atlantic (CSFTL).
VX-1, based at NAS Patuxent River, Md., is in the midst of a big wave
of operational evaluations that include programs for the P-3C and the
new P-8A platform -in addition to programs for C-2A, E-2C and the new
E-2D platform," explained Harkins.
Champaigne said, "VAW-120 acts as a trusted agent for VX-1. Our
job is to determine how well the E-2D compares to what the Navy asked
for, and how it operates in the real world as opposed to a controlled
test environment."
"We're already getting qualitative assessments from aircrew and
maintainers, including good feedback on the glass cockpit," he
continued. "NFOs are liking the large 17-inch monitors at their
workstations, as well as the option for the co-pilot to plug in as a
fourth mission systems operator."
Harkins said, "We brought a cross-section of junior and senior
flight crew because we want the perspective of those fresh from the
FRS, as well as those with five or more years of operational experience
in the Hawkeye community."
Over the next six months, the detachment will travel around the country
to evaluate how it functions in large-force exercises, strike group
and air wing exercises and joint exercises. During their time in Jacksonville,
the sqaudrons will be part of the Enterprise JTFEX, the strike group's
final operational exam before being certified for overseas combat operations.
"Since E-2s have the biggest footprints on the flight deck, the
Enterprise air boss isn't going to be happy when we add two more to
the mix. But they understand we're doing these tests to provide a new
and improved platform to the fleet. So, we'll put two E-2Ds on board
Enterprise and fly our other pair from NAS Jacksonville," said
Harkins.
"To this point, the aircraft has proven it can meet developmental
requirements. Now it's up to this detachment to assess everything in
a more fluid and realistic operational environment," said Champaigne.
From: US Navy
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