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By Steve Hall |
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February 4, 2011 - The Northrop Grumman Corporation
built E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, the U.S. Navy's newest
airborne early warning and command and control aircraft,
has landed on the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and begun
carrier suitability testing.
With 99 percent of radar testing complete, the purpose
of this phase of testing is to assess the aircraft's
effectiveness in an operational environment. While
onboard the Truman, all aspects of aviation/ship
integration will be addressed, including logistics,
manpower and interoperability, as well as catapult and
arrested landing structural tests. "This first landing of an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye on a carrier deck is a very proud moment for the entire Hawkeye team," said Jim Culmo, vice president, Airborne Early Warning & Battle Management Command and Control Programs, Northrop Grumman.
"We're one step closer to delivering this revolutionary
weapon system to the warfighter, a milestone the team
has been working towards since Delta One took to the
skies for the first time in August 2007. As the Navy
kicks off its Centennial of Naval Aviation next week,
Northrop Grumman continues to be committed to providing
this critical first line of defense well into the 21st
century." |
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Led by
U.S. Navy Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 20 (VX-20), testing
is being conducted by an integrated test team consisting of
Northrop Grumman and Navy pilots and maintainers. The aircraft
that made the first carrier landing is "Delta One," the first
E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to roll off Northrop Grumman's
manufacturing line in
The new
aircraft will be able to scan a larger area, detect smaller
objects and process information more quickly than its
predecessor. The aircrews will be able to accomplish these tasks
through improved all-glass cockpits and tactical operator
stations. |