Northrop Grumman Delivers First E-2D Aircraft to Japan

New aircraft provides enhanced early warning, command and control capability for evolving security needs

TOKYO – May 31, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) completed its first delivery of an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) on March 29.

In December 2018, the Japan Air Self Defense Force performed training flights on the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. The first E-2D was delivered to JASDF in March 2019.

In November 2014, the Japan Ministry of Defense competitively selected the Northrop Grumman E-2D to fulfill an emerging next-generation airborne early warning requirement.

“Northrop Grumman’s longstanding partnership with Japan is beginning a new chapter with the delivery of the first Japan E-2D,” said Jane Bishop, vice president and integrated product team leader, manned airborne surveillance programs, Northrop Grumman. “This aircraft provides a significant increase in early warning and surveillance capability to outpace Japan’s evolving security needs.”

Japan has operated the Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye since 1983 and is the largest E-2 operator outside the U.S. The E-2D delivers a two-generation leap in radar technology, allowing the aircraft to track threats at extended range. The aircraft can also be used in a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capacity for civilian emergency coordination. The E-2D offers interoperability with next-generation aircraft systems and U.S. Navy allies to support regional security cooperation. To ensure long-term success of the Japan E-2D fleet, Northrop Grumman is providing continued support to JASDF in the areas of sustainment and maintenance, in coordination with several Japanese firms.

E-2D Aerial Refueling Test Flight Results in a Topped-off Tank

NAVAIR public release, SPR-2017-589Distribution Statement A, approved for public release, distribution is unlimited.

Photo credit: U.S. Navy by Liz Wolter

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Md. – Oct. 31, 2017 – Another major milestone was reached on the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program this summer, when the first E-2D equipped with aerial refueling successfully received its first in-flight fuel transfer from a tanker aircraft on July 14.

During the four-hour flight, the pilots performed 10 dry plugs and two wet plugs, resulting in the successful transfer of more than 1,700 pounds of fuel from a U.S. Navy KC-130 Hercules to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.

”Passing fuel for the first time airborne is a significant milestone in the development of this critical technology for the E-2D, which increases the range and persistence of command and control the E-2D provides to U.S. and allied forces,” said Capt. Keith Hash, E-2/C-2 Airborne Tactical Data Systems (PMA-231) program manager.

The aerial refueling-equipped E-2D made its first flight Dec. 15, 2016, at Northrop Grumman’s St. Augustine facility. The aircraft was then transferred to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 20 (VX-20) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, where the aircraft will complete the aerial refueling test program. 

“Developing aerial refueling capability for the E-2D is another demonstration of Northrop Grumman’s unwavering commitment to provide our Navy customer with increased operational capability,” said Jane Bishop, vice president and program manager of the E-2/C-2 program at Northrop Grumman.

There are two additional aircraft in the aerial refueling test program and while the first aircraft was making its first fuel transfer flight, the third aircraft to be modified made its first flight at St. Augustine. Two E-2Ds equipped with aerial refueling in flight at the same time marks a significant first for Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy’s Hawkeye community. 

The aerial refueling system modification contains several sub-system upgrades to accommodate the refueling capability including adding the fuel probe plumbing, formation lighting, long-endurance seats, as well as flight control software and hardware changes.

The U.S. Navy awarded Northrop Grumman the aerial refueling contract in 2013. This capability gives the U.S. Navy the flexibility to conduct missions of more than seven hours. The planned production cut-in will be in 2018, and IOC is planned for 2020. The E-2D aircraft already in the fleet will eventually be retrofitted with the aerial refueling system.

Northrop Grumman Completes First Flight of Japan’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.– Nov. 13, 2017 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully completed the first flight of Japan’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) at the company’s Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence in St. Augustine, Florida, Oct. 9.

Japan’s First E-2D prepares to take flight at the Northrop Grumman Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence in St. Augustine, Florida.

“The successful first flight of Japan’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is a significant milestone in delivering advanced airborne early warning and surveillance capabilities to the country,” said Jane Bishop, vice president, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye programs, Northrop Grumman. “The augmentation of the Japan Air Self Defense Force’s (JASDF) current Hawkeye fleet with the E-2D AHE further strengthens its ability to meet Japan’s evolving security and intelligence needs.”

The Japan Ministry of Defense selected the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye in 2014 to fulfill the nation's airborne early warning requirements. Northrop Grumman began production in 2016 on two aircraft now in the final production phase.

As the largest Hawkeye operator outside of the U.S. Navy, JASDF also has 13 E-2C aircraft operating since 1983.