Northrop Grumman has been awarded a US Navy contract to start production of a second E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning (AEW) and surveillance aircraft for Japan, it announced on 3 August.
The company already has the first Japanese E-2D Advanced Hawkeye in production, due for delivery in 2018. The aircraft are being supplied under the US foreign military sales programme.
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye was selected by Japan in 2014 to meet its AEW requirements. The Japan Air Self-Defence Force has operated a fleet of 13 E-2C Hawkeye aircraft since 1983.
Jane Bishop, vice president, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye programs, Northrop Grumman, said: 'For more than 50 years, Northrop Grumman has partnered with Japan by providing a range of capabilities and technologies in defence, security and communications
'We are honoured to continue this strong partnership through the E-2D programme, which brings Japan a powerful new tool that meets their immediate airborne surveillance needs and facilitates information sharing across many platforms, making it a force multiplier for the future as well.'
The E-2D provides expanded battlespace awareness, especially in the area of information operations delivering battle management, theatre air and missile defence, and multiple sensor fusion capabilities in an airborne system.
E-2 Hawkeye