[Avionics Magazine 12-29-2016] Northrop Grumman’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft completed the first flight with its new aerial refueling system. The new system allows the E-2D to provide longer on-station times at greater ranges, Northrop says.
The first U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye equipped with aerial refueling. Photo: John Germana, Northrop Grumman.
Subsystem upgrades installed to supper the new aerial refueling system include probe and associated piping, electrical and lighting upgrades, and long endurance seats that will enhance field of view in the cockpit and reduce pilot fatigue over longer missions.
The aerial refueling program will modify three aircraft for testing planned through 2018. Production cut-in and retrofit plans are scheduled to begin in 2018.