Grumman E-2C Hawkeye

The E-2C Hawkeye is an early warning and control platform, whose task is to provide complete airborne radar coverage around the CVBG (carrier battle group) and provide the "big picture." Practically, this includes everything from warning of enemy air attacks on the battle group to warning an inbound strike package of hostile fighter activity. The E-2C offers some advantages which its larger Air Force cousin, the E-3 AWACS, does not. For instance, the Hawkeye can provide its radar operators with raw radar data rather than only computer-generated, processed information. In some cases (with a skilled operator at the console) this can mean picking up contacts that the signal processors miss.

The Hawkeye normally carries a crew of five, including the pilot, copilot, Combat Information Center Officer (CICO), air control officer, and radar officer. Driven by a pair of fuel-efficient Allison turboprops, the Hawkeye can stay on station for six hours. Its avionics suite includes the powerful AN/APS-125 radar, whose antenna is mounted in the trademark "pancake" dome on top of the aircraft. The Hawkeye also includes a collection of sophisticated sensors which enable its CIC crew to analyze and classify up to 600 contacts over land or sea. The stated coverage of a single E-2C is roughly three million cubic miles.

The E-2C+ upgrade includes radar improvements, software upgrades, and more powerful engines. Further plans include upgrading the whole E-2 fleet to Block I and II status, which mean a new radar (APS-139 and APS-145, respectively) and overall improved processor capability. There currently is and will continue to be one squadron of four Hawkeyes in the carrier air wing.

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