E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (U.S. Navy)
The Navy and Northrop Grumman this week revealed the Block II upgrade to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye passed a Critical Design Review (CDR) in May, setting the way for flight tests within three years.
The E-2D airborne early warning command and control platform’s Block II upgrade builds on the Delta System Software Configuration 6 (DSSC-6) update that reduces pilot workload, supplies avionics infrastructure improvements to fight and mission systems, improves situational awareness, provides readiness and reliability upgrades and features architecture and cybersecurity improvements. The Navy and Northrop Grumman announced the completion of the Preliminary Design Review of DSSC-6 in late 2024.
The Navy said Block II provides a software foundation to allow rapid capability insertion as well as introducing “state-of-the-art cockpit architecture, increased computing power, an Open Mission Systems framework and robust cybersecurity.”
The Navy specifically highlighted the inclusion of Open Mission Systems architecture as resolving “current and future parts obsolescence and enables rapid, non-proprietary technology insertion. This approach actively drives acquisition velocity, supercharges the industrial base, and delivers next-generation capability to the warfighter at the speed of relevance.”
The CDR process had the Navy’s E-2/C-2 Airborne Command & Control Systems Program Office (PMA-231), under Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation, work with Northrop Grumman to convene a technical review board that the Navy said rigorously assessed the finalized system product baseline.
With CDR completed, the Navy said the upgrade program has transitioned out of the design phase and into physical aircraft retrofits and flight-testing phases.
Northrop Grumman said it will immediately begin Block II integration and testing and is set to deliver Block II aircraft by the end of the decade. This is in line with the Navy reporting that flight tests of E-2D block II aircraft scheduled for fiscal year 2029.
“Completing the Block II critical design review reflects the dedication and expertise of our team and partners. This upgrade strengthens the E-2D’s suite of capabilities, enhancing situational awareness, reducing crew workload and paving the way for future technology,” Janice Zilch, vice president and program manager for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye at Northrop Grumman, said in a statement.
The company also said it is now poised to integrate the Block II upgrades into the E-2D’s active production line for new aircraft as well as retrofit existing fleet aircraft.
A version of this story originally appeared in sister publication Defense Daily.
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