E-2D Advanced Hawkeye cleared for full-rate production
US Naval Air Systems Command has announced that the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye has passed an Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) report, with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1 declaring the aircraft ‘suitable and effective’. This aided the Defense Acquisition Board's approval of the E-2D for full-rate production in January.
The IOT&E saw the aircraft’s prospective mission performance evaluated, with flight data collected at several locations and during Red Flag and Black Dart aerial combat training exercises. The aircraft’s readiness for fleet introduction – scheduled for 2015 – was also assessed. VX-1 conducted the testing according to current programme System Design Development (SDD) requirements.
Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Harkins, VX-1 operational test director, said the aircraft performed ‘phenomenally’ during testing, with the aircraft showing an increase in combat effectiveness due to the E-2D’s ability to track small fighter size targets in difficult environments. The data showed significant improvements in radar and mission systems performance in overland and littoral scenarios.
Capt. John S. Lemmon, E-2/C-2 Airborne Tactical Data System Program Office (PMA-231) program manager, said: ‘This milestone is the culmination of years of hard work. The E-2D team came together with one vision and goal, and the IOT&E report confirms that we are delivering a solid product to the fleet.
‘As we push towards fleet introduction, our programme office team stays passionate about our work and committed to the mission. We genuinely care about what we do and the product we are delivering to the fleet.’
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is scheduled to achieve initial operational capability in 2015.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems]()
AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems
Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.
-
![AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster]()
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster
The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
-
![AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end]()
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end
Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
-
![Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella]()
Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella
Turkey has joined the family of countries attempting to establish a multilayered air defence system with government approval in August 2024 for the effort landed by Aselsan. Dubbed Steel Dome, the programme joins Israel’s Iron Dome, the US Golden Dome, India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra and South Korea’s low-altitude missile defence system.
-
![DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system]()
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
-
![Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training]()
Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training
Australia is looking to improve its presence in space with a focus on communications and creating a dedicated segment of its defence forces committed to the domain.
