Northrop Grumman will deliver two E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft to the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) in 2018, the company has disclosed.
Fred Shelton, Northrop Grumman’s manager for international business development told asianmilitaryreview.com that: “The airframe for the first Japanese aircraft is nearly complete and is currently going through electrical and hydraulic subsystems installation. Once production is complete, the aircraft will transition to flight testing and (be) prepared for final delivery to Japan.”
Japan, a legacy E-2C operator, will gain immediate, enhanced operational capabilities from its E-2Ds. Mr. Shelton emphasised: “There have been significant upgrades from the E-2C to the E-2D, including replacement of the (E-2C’s Lockheed Martin AN/APS-145) radar system with a Lockheed Martin AN/APY-9 radar that extends the range and detection of targets.” He added that the E-2D also features an: “Upgraded communications suite, mission computer, displays and the incorporation of an all-glass cockpit. The aircraft’s software and hardware systems have also been updated to provide new mission capabilities such as simultaneous air and sea surface tracking and battle management and control.”
Mr. Shelton concluded that 2017 will be an: “historic year for the Japanese E-2D as production concludes for the first two aircraft, and as they enter flight testing later in the year. Both aircraft are on schedule for a 2018 delivery.”
