–Since its first aerial refueling flight last summer, testing of a modification to the Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning aircraft so that it can refuel in flight is going well and has demonstrated it can receive fuel from multiple aircraft, according to a Navy official. A prototype E-2D with the refueling probe flew first in December 2016. By Chuck Oldham (Editor) The first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft with aerial refueling capability has joined the US Navy’s fleet at Naval Station Norfolk in September. With AR, the all-weather, carrier-based tactical battle management airborne early warning and command and control aircraft will be able to remain airborne to the limits of the aircrew and airframe endurance. Matthew Duffy. Here is the latest information on the status of the three DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyers... Air Refueling Capable E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Joins U.S. Navy Fleet. 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Under a 2013 engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) contract award, Northrop Grumman designed, developed, manufactured, and tested several sub-system upgrades necessary to accommodate an aerial refueling capability. [19] The aerial refueling-equipped E-2D made its first flight Dec. 15, 2016, at Northrop Grumman’s St. Augustine facility. - September 10, 2014, An F/A-18E Super Hornet conducts dry hookups with an E-2C with a dummy probe in earlier testing of a potential Hawkeye aerial refueling system. “Aerial refueling capability is a game-changer for the E-2D community and future operations in the high-end fight,” said Cmdr. new seats to enhance pilot field-of-view and decrease crew fatigue; formation lights for better visualization and air space orientation; and. The U.S. Navy will transition two operational fleet squadrons to aerial refueling capable E-2Ds by 2020. The aerial refueling-equipped E-2D Advanced Hawkeye receives 162 pounds of fuel from a U.S. Navy KC-130 Hercules during its first in-flight fuel transfer test July 14, 2017, at NAS Patuxent River. U.S. Navy photo by Kelly Schindler. Aerial refueling-equipped aircraft will also feature new endurance seats, fuel system enhancements, and new exterior lighting. The aerial-refueling-capable E-2D joined the “Greyhawks” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 120. NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. In April this year, the US Navy awarded a contract modification worth $3.2 billion to Northrop Grumman to deliver 24 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne surveillance aircraft. VAW-120 is only the first step in rolling out this new capability. As the U.S. continues its shift to Asia-Pacific, extending the range of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will enlarge the AEW area of coverage extending out from a carrier battle group, and provide enhanced maritime security required by the vast geography of the Asia-Pacific region, for both the U.S. and its allies. In December 2016, Northrop Grumman completed the first flight of a modified E-2D equipped with the aerial refueling modifications. All Rights Reserved. This is the first E-2D Hawkeye with aerial refueling capability to join the fleet, increasing the Navy™s battlespace awareness and integrated fire control " both from the air and the sea. Air Refueling Capable E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Joins U.S. Navy Fleet A U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye able to be refueled in midair is now with VAW-120, the Carrier Airborne Early Warning community's replacement training squadron. Lead E-2D Aerial Refueling Test Pilot Northrop Grumman Apr 2015 - Present 5 years 11 months. VAW-120 is a Fleet Replacement Squadron attached to Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Wing commanded by Capt. Deliveries of initial production E-2Ds began in 2010. Under a 2013 engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) contract award, Northrop Grumman designed, developed, manufactured, and tested several sub-system upgrades necessary to accommodate an aerial refueling capability. We will now begin to train instructor pilots and refuel with several different Navy and Air Force tanker aircraft, including F/A-18s.”. "The E-2D is a unique type of receiver. Built by Northrop Grumman, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the latest variant of the E-2 Airborne early warning aircraft, replacing the E-2C Hawkeye. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps released the Unmanned Campaign framework today. © 2021 Defense Media Network. About Us Contact Us, NORFOLK, Va. (Septe Xavier has been covering naval defense topics for nearly a decade. The first E-2D with aerial refueling capability was delivered in September 2019. "First flight is an exciting day in the journey from concept to an aerial refueling equipped E-2D," says Jane Bishop, vice president of E-2/C-2 programs. In-flight refueling could more than double the Hawkeye’s endurance. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. “Adding an aerial refueling capability to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will extend its critical mission of providing continuous information to the warfighter who depends on it.”, “I’m very pleased with the progress the team has made,” said Capt. Xavier Vavasseur 15 Dec 2020 E-2D Aerial Refueling System Completes Design Review. [18] On 4 February 2010, Delta One conducted the first E-2D carrier landing aboard USS Harry S. Truman as a part of carrier suitability testing. Under a $226.7 million engineering, manufacturing and development contract awarded in 2013, Northrop Grumman is designing several system upgrades necessary to accommodate an aerial refueling capability. Scott Wastak, VAW-120 commanding officer. Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy have successfully conducted the preliminary design review (PDR) for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aerial Refueling system, according to a Northrop Grumman release. Under a 2013 engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) contract award, Northrop Grumman designed, developed, manufactured, and tested several sub-system upgrades necessary to accommodate an aerial refueling capability. Aerial refueling capability will allow the E-2Ds to fly further from the carrier itself with less risk, giving the strike group’s operations ever great reach, and will simply allow them to remain on station longer. These include: “The greater endurance provided by aerial refueling provides the warfighter with enhanced surveillance and targeting capability and the persistence needed to accomplish this more effectively,” said Bart LaGrone, vice president, E-2/C-2 programs, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. Currently, the squadron’s E-2D AR instructor pilot cadre are increasing proficiency and experience in preparation for training and transitioning the first fleet squadron later this summer. U.S. Navy photo. “Adding an aerial refueling capability to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will extend its critical mission of providing continuous information to the warfighter who depends on it.” Under a $226.7 million engineering, manufacturing and development contract awarded in 2013, Northrop Grumman is designing several system upgrades necessary to accommodate an aerial refueling capability. Dec. 15, 2016 - Northrop Grumman has successfully completed the first flight of an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye equipped with aerial refueling (AR). The Navy’s E-2D program of record is for 75 aircraft. The Aerial Refueling modified E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is another key component to the Carrier Air Wing of the future. E-2D 131 Assessment • Aerial Refueling brings the E-2D a dramatic increase in operational range, endurance, and safety at sea. E-2D aerial refueling capability passes CDR. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. A typical Advanced Hawkeye mission now lasts around four hours, two and a half of which are on station. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nikita Custer). The U.S. Navy plans to declare the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye operational in October. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). 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 … “The level of information provided to the warfighter will increase exponentially with the extended range and endurance of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye fleet with aerial refueling,” LaGrone said. Because the aerial refueling capability is so new, with VAW 126 receiving their first E-2Ds in 2020, each refueling mission doubles as a training opportunity. Aerial refueling increases the range and persistence of the E-2D AHE. PATUXENT RIVER, Md., July 1 (UPI) — An aerial refueling capability for the E-2D tactical airborne warning aircraft has passed a critical design review, Northrop Grumman said. Aerial refueling, also referred to as air refueling, in-flight refueling (IFR), air-to-air refueling (AAR), and tanking, is the process of transferring aviation fuel from one military aircraft (the tanker) to another (the receiver) during flight. Dec. 15, 2016 - Northrop Grumman has successfully completed the first flight of an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye equipped with Aerial Refueling (AR). An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye capable of aerial refueling landed at Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 9, officially marking the arrival of this upgraded aircraft to the fleet. “Adding an aerial refueling capability to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will extend its critical mission of providing continuous information to the warfighter who depends on it.”, Earlier testing of a Hawkeye aerial refueling system. An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye capable of aerial refueling landed at Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 9, officially marking the arrival of this upgraded aircraft to the fleet. In July 2017 the aircraft conducted its first aerial refueling mission , with several “dry plugs” and two actual “wet plugs” that passed more than 1,700 pounds of fuel from a U.S. Navy KC-130 Hercules to the E-2D. Xavier is based in Paris, France. UPI 1 Jul 2015. The Aerial Refueling modified E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is another key component to the Carrier Air Wing of the future. The aerial-refueling-capable E-2D joined the “Greyhawks” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 120. “Aerial refueling capability is a game-changer for the E-2D community and future operations in the high-end fight. The ‘eyes of the fleet’ will see further and wider, equipping the warfighter for ever-evolving threats.” by Bill Carey - September 3, 2014, 9:11 PM. There are currently 62 older E-2Cs operating in the Navy’s fleet, with an additional 28 E-2Cs operating in the militaries of Egypt, France, Japan and Taiwan. In FY2020, the E-2D will achieve initial operational capability (IOC) with aerial refueling (AR) capability. ember 9, 2019) - An E-2D Hawkeye prepares to land and be recieved by the Greyhawks of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 120 on Monday, September 9 at Naval Station Norfolk. 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. enhanced software in the aircraft’s flight control system to assist the pilots with aircraft handling qualities when refueling.