The E-2C Hawkeye

The E-2C is an early warning and control platform, whose task is to provide airborne radar coverage around the CVBG (carrier battle group). 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-2 serves in a very similar role as that of the USAF E-3 AWACS, although it is not quite as capable due to the limitations of carrier-borne life. For this reason, E-2s are sometimes called "Miniawacs." However, the E-2C does offer some advantages which the E-3 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.

E-2C Hawkeye
VAW-124 "Bear Ace" Aircraft markings U. S. NAVY E-2C "HAWKEYE" AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING AIRCRAFT

The Hawkeye normally carries a crew of five (the pilot, copilot, Combat Information Center Officer (CICO), air control officer ACO), and radar officer(RO)). Driven by a pair of fuel-efficient T-56 Allison turboprops, the Hawkeye can stay on station for more than five hours. Its avionics suite includes the powerful AN/APS-145 radar, whose antenna is mounted in the trademark "frizbee" dome on top of the aircraft. The Hawkeye also includes a collection of sophisticated sensors which enable its CIC crew to analyze and classify over 1000 contacts over land or sea. The stated coverage of a single E-2C is roughly three million cubic miles.

More CIC E-2C CIC
Naval Flight Officers (NFOs) ride sideways in the Hummer's CIC

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 processing capability. There currently is one squadron of four Hawkeyes in each carrier air wing.

Last updated: 22 July 1996, URL of the page containing this information was originally located http://www.infi.net/~chazmo/e2c.htm, but it is no longer available.

Other E-2C links and images on-line:

VAW 126 Seahawks
E-2C in clouds
http://www.navy.mil/homepages/vaw126/e2c/e2c.htm

U.S. Navy Fact File
U.S. Navy Fact File
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/aircraft/air-e2c.html

NEMESIS
NEMESIS Picture
http://www.montereytechnologies.com/nemesis/

More links

E-2C Hawkeye
E-2C Hawkeye pictures
E-2C HAWKEYE
Naval Aviation Fact Sheet

E-2C Take-off


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