Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman have successfully flight-tested a new radar enhancement for the US Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, advancing modernization of one of the service’s most important airborne command-and-control platforms. The tested system, known as the Digital Receiver Exciter Recorder, replaces legacy radar receiver and exciter components with a more compact single-box solution. According to the companies, the upgrade improves threat detection, target tracking, and data processing performance while also increasing long-term reliability. During the trials, engineers evaluated wideband transmit and receive functions, software-defined waveforms, and independent control of radar elements. These capabilities are expected to help the Hawkeye remain effective in more contested electromagnetic environments. The E-2D plays a vital role in carrier strike group operations by providing airborne early warning, battle management, and networked situational awareness for ships and aircraft. The platform has seen several recent modernization programs. In January, BAE Systems was selected to create a maintenance depot for the aircraft’s AN/APX-122A Identification Friend or Foe system. In September 2024, Fuse Integration secured a contract to upgrade communications networking using software-based router systems. The latest DREXR milestone highlights ongoing Navy efforts to preserve the Hawkeye’s operational edge against modern air and missile threats.
