Northrop gets $353.5M to produce E-2D Avanced Hawkeye for France

France orders Advanced Hawkeye
French Navy E-2C Hawkeye launches off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

Northrop Grumman has secured a $ 353.5 million modification to a previously awarded contract to produce three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft for the French government.

France was authorized by the United States in 2019 to purchase three Advanced Hawkeyes equipped with various electronic and mission equipment, with a spending ceiling of $ 2 billion.

The order confirmed by Paris in November 2020 also includes engines, spare parts, in-flight refueling probes, technical documentation, training assistance, initial logistics and technical assistance. Work on this contract is expected to be completed by April 2027.

The Marine Nationale (French Navy) currently operates three Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeyes which have been delivered since 2000. They are assigned to the 4 Flotille (4F) at Lorient-Lann-Bihoué and are engaged in long-range aerial surveillance, early detection, command and control, operating mainly from the Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier.

The first of the new Advanced Hawkeye is expected to be delivered to the Marine Nationale in 2027, in order to prevent naval aviation from decaying operational capabilities.

Compared to the variant currently in use, the Advanced Hawkeye is equipped with the new AN/APY-9 UHF radar capable of detecting at 360° in all weather conditions even aircraft with a low radar signature. The aircraft also boasts an in-flight refueling probe which allows for a considerable increase in flight range.


Written by Matteo Sanzani

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