The US Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract valued at nearly $1.2 billion for the production of three additional E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Block II airborne early warning and command-and-control aircraft. The agreement includes aircraft manufacturing, mission system integration, logistics support, and long-term sustainment activities extending through the end of the decade. Serving as the Navy’s primary carrier-based airborne surveillance platform, the E-2D combines the AN/APY-9 active electronically scanned array radar with advanced battle management systems to detect, classify, and track aircraft, missiles, naval vessels, and other airborne threats over extended distances. The enhanced Block II configuration introduces upgraded computing architecture, expanded processing capability, improved mission software, and greater networking capacity, enabling seamless integration with future sensors and command systems. The acquisition forms part of the Navy’s broader effort to strengthen carrier strike group operations through enhanced situational awareness, network-centric warfare capabilities, and improved multi-domain command and control.
