US Navy Clears E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Block II Upgrade for 2029 Flight Tests
The U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman completed the Critical Design Review for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Block II modernization, enabling flight tests in fiscal year 2029. The upgrade includes a new cockpit, enhanced computing, improved cybersecurity, and an open mission systems architecture. It will retrofit 80 existing aircraft and apply to new production. The upgrade addresses obsolescence and aims to maintain carrier-based early warning capabilities for Indo-Pacific operations, as aging E-3 Sentry jets retire and the E-7 Wedgetail program faces delays.
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Northrop Grumman completes critical design review for US Navy E-2D Block II upgrade
Northrop Grumman has completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Block II upgrade of the US Navy's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne command and control aircraft. The upgrade, which covers both new production aircraft and retrofitting the existing fleet of 80 aircraft, features a modular open systems architecture to enable integration of future non-proprietary technologies. Key improvements include avionics upgrades, a new cockpit with increased computing power, and robust cybersecurity through Delta System Software Configuration 6. The modernized cockpit aims to reduce pilot workload and enhance situational awareness for complex battlespace management. Delivery is planned for the end of the decade, with flight tests scheduled for fiscal year 2029. The upgrade addresses the Navy's need for a carrier-capable early warning aircraft for Indo-Pacific operations and fills a surveillance gap as aging E-3 Sentry jets retire and the E-7 Wedgetail program faces delays. The CDR follows a $1.19 billion contract for three E-2D Block II aircraft.
Northrop Grumman completes Critical Design Review for US Navy E-2D Block II upgrade
Northrop Grumman has completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Block II upgrade of the US Navy's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne command and control aircraft. The upgrade, which applies to both new production aircraft and the retrofit of 80 existing planes, features a modular open systems architecture for future technology integration, avionics improvements, and the Delta System Software Configuration 6, which includes a new cockpit, increased computing power, and enhanced cybersecurity. The modernized cockpit aims to reduce pilot workload and improve situational awareness. Delivery is planned for the end of the decade, with flight tests scheduled for fiscal year 2029. The CDR follows a $1.19bn contract for three Block II aircraft. The upgrade is critical as the Navy seeks a carrier-capable early warning aircraft for Indo-Pacific operations and to address surveillance gaps highlighted by recent drone swarm tracking operations in the Middle East, especially as aging E-3 Sentry jets retire and the E-7 Wedgetail program faces delays.
Northrop Grumman completes critical design review for E-2D Block II upgrade
Northrop Grumman has completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Block II upgrade of the US Navy's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne command and control aircraft. The upgrade includes a modular open systems architecture for future technology integration, avionics improvements, and Delta System Software Configuration 6, which introduces a new cockpit, increased computing power, and robust cybersecurity. The modernization aims to reduce pilot workload and enhance situational awareness. Delivery is planned for the end of the decade, with retrofits for the existing fleet of 80 aircraft and new production line units. The CDR follows a $1.19 billion contract for three E-2D Block II aircraft. The upgrade is critical for the Navy's carrier-capable early warning needs in the Indo-Pacific, especially given the retirement of aging E-3 Sentry jets and delays in the E-7 Wedgetail program. Flight tests are scheduled for fiscal year 2029.
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Navy clears upgrade for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
The US Navy and Northrop Grumman announced that the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Block II upgrade has passed a critical design review, a key development milestone. The upgrade includes an updated cockpit, open mission systems architecture, and enhanced computing power to reduce pilot workload and improve situational awareness. Flight testing is expected to begin in fiscal year 2029, with first deliveries of the overhauled aircraft by the end of the decade. Northrop Grumman plans to retrofit existing aircraft and incorporate the upgrade into new production planes. The E-2D is a carrier-capable airborne early warning aircraft used for command and control, and recently participated in Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Japan currently operates the E-2D, and France is expected to receive its first Advanced Hawkeye in 2027.
U.S. Navy Clears E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Early Warning Aircraft Upgrade for 2029 Flight Tests
The U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman have completed the Critical Design Review for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Block II modernization, clearing the way for aircraft integration and flight testing in fiscal year 2029. The upgrade, validated by PMA-231, includes a revised cockpit architecture, greater computing capacity, improved cybersecurity, and an Open Mission Systems framework to reduce proprietary interfaces. Block II builds on Delta System Software Configuration 6 and aims to keep the carrier-based airborne command-and-control aircraft effective against long-range missiles, drones, and advanced aircraft. The E-2D uses the AN/APY-9 radar capable of tracking over 3,000 targets simultaneously. The modernization addresses electronic obsolescence by separating software from hardware, enabling faster capability upgrades over the aircraft's decades-long service life.