France to procure E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft, Spares and Support Equipment.

According to a news released by the US DoD (Department of Defense) on July 6, 2020, the US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of France of three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
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An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to the Liberty Bells of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One One Five (VAW-115) launches from USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) following the ship's annual spring cruise. (Picture source: U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jason T. Poplin)

The Government of France requests to buy three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft, ten T-56-427A engines, three AN/APY-9 radar assemblies, four AN/ALQ-217 electronic support measure systems, three AN/AYK-27 Integrated Navigation Channels and Display Systems, five Link-16 (MIDS-JTRS) Communications Systems, ten Embedded GPS/INS (EGI) Devices, four AN/APX-122(A) and AN/APX-123(A) Identification, Friend or Foe systems and one Joint Mission Planning System.

The proposed sale will improve France’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing its Naval Air Forces with a sustainable follow on capability to their current, legacy E-2C Hawkeye aircraft. The E-2D aircraft will continue and expand French naval aviation capabilities and maintain interoperability with U.S. naval forces. As a current E-2C operator, France will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces.

The principal contractor will be Northrop Grumman Systems Corp, Aerospace Systems, Melbourne, FL. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the Purchaser and the prime contractor.

About the E-2 Hawkeye and its newest variant:

The E-2 Hawkeye is the Navy's all-weather, carrier-based tactical battle management airborne early warning, command and control aircraft. 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 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) is the newest variant of the E-2 aircraft platform, replacing the E-2C Hawkeye. It features a state-of-the-art radar with a two-generation leap in capability and upgraded aircraft systems that will improve supportability and increase readiness. Key E-2D objectives include improved battle space target detection and situational awareness, especially in the littorals; support of Theater Air Missile Defense (TAMD) operations; and improved operational availability.