Northrop contracted for Japanese E-2D modifications
- 11 January, 2016
- BY: Beth Stevenson
- London
The first Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft for Japan is in the process of being built, and the manufacturer has been awarded a contract worth $286 million to perform modifications to take it to Tokyo's specifications.
Part of a four-strong requirement for the Japan Air Self-Defence Force, the first example was ordered in November 2015. This was followed by a 5 January award to modify the aircraft to include extended endurance for the nation's land-based type.
The US Navy is the primary operator of the Hawkeye, and is exploring an in-flight refuelling capability so the E-2D can carry out longer-duration missions from its carriers. The adaptation is expected to be achieved by 2020.
Japan, however, bases its aircraft on the land, so can effectively take-off with the extra fuel in a “wet wing” configuration, meaning in-flight refuelling is not a concern for the operator.
“The main difference is that the US Navy chose to go with in-flight refuelling that allows the E-2D to deploy off the [aircraft] carrier and refuel for longer missions,” Jay Mulhall, Northrop's director of global strategy and mission solutions, tells Flightglobal.
The Japanese aircraft will instead carry the extra fuel, which will allow it to operate for up to 8h, instead of a standard 5h. ...
