Northrop Grumman Completes E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Block II Design Review

Northrop Grumman Corporation completed a government-led critical design review for the Block II upgrade of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. This overhaul of mission system software and hardware is the most significant platform upgrade in the program's history, designed to improve situational awareness, reduce crew workload, and protect the aircraft against evolving threats.

The upgrade employs a modular open systems approach and commercial off-the-shelf products to reduce costs and support long-term fleet sustainment. The company plans to integrate these upgrades into the active production line for new aircraft while retrofitting existing fleet aircraft to increase capacity for the U.S. Navy and international partners.

Northrop Grumman will now move into the integration and testing phase, with the goal of delivering Block II aircraft by the end of the decade. Janice Zilch, vice president and program manager of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, stated that the upgrade "strengthens the E-2D’s suite of capabilities" and reflects the expertise of the company's partners.