Japan Air Force receives first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has received the first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye from Northrop Grumman.

The Japan Ministry of Defense chose the E-2D all-weather, airborne early warning (AEW), command and control aircraft in 2014 following a competitive process.

It placed the order for the aircraft for an emerging next-generation airborne early warning requirement.

Northrop Grumman manned airborne surveillance programmes vice-president Jane Bishop said: “Northrop Grumman’s longstanding partnership with Japan is beginning a new chapter with the delivery of the first Japan E-2D.

“This aircraft provides a significant increase in early warning and surveillance capability to outpace Japan’s evolving security needs.”

Japan is a key customer for Northrop Grumman. The country has been operating the company’s E-2C Hawkeye since 1983 and has the largest E-2 fleet outside of the US.

The E-2D is equipped with advanced radar technology that allows the aircraft to track threats at an extended range.

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The aircraft has the ability to perform humanitarian assistance and support disaster relief operations.

Moreover, the E-2D offers interoperability with next-generation aircraft systems and US Navy allies to enable regional security cooperation, Northrop added.

The contract also includes continued support for the Japanese E-2D fleet in the areas of sustainment and maintenance.

Northrop won a US Navy contract modification in January 2016 to provide non-recurring engineering and recurring support to configure the first Japanese E-2D.

In September, the US State Department approved a potential sale of up to nine E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and other equipment to Japan for around $3.135bn.

The JASDF’s E-2D made its first flight in October 2017 at Northrop’s Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence in St Augustine, Florida, US.