The U.S. Department of Defense contract announcement issued on 22 December 2021 reads:
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Military Aircraft Systems, Melbourne, Florida, is awarded a $353,584,118 fixed-price incentive (firm target) modification (P00034) to a previously awarded contract (N0001918C1037). This modification provides for the production and delivery of three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft for the government of France. Work will be performed in St. Augustine, Florida (27.52%); Syracuse, New York (19.07%); Melbourne, Florida (6.66%); Indianapolis, Indiana (5.32%); Menlo Park, California (4.31%); El Segundo, California (4.21%); Rolling Meadows, Illinois (2.22%); Aire-sure-l’Adour, France (2.16%); Owego, New York (1.62%); Edgewood, New York (1.42%); Marlboro, Massachusetts (1.35%); Woodland Hills, California (1.29%); Greenlawn, New York (1.24%); Windsor Locks, Connecticut (1.15%); various locations within the continental U.S. (20.06%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (0.42%), and is expected to be completed April 2027. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $353,584,118 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
For the record, the French Ministry of Armed Forces announced one year ago that it had approved the acquisition of three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
Led by the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA), this procurement is being carried out under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement with the U.S. government. The United States’ State Department approved this FMS in July 2020.
The French E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes are set to enter production at the Northrop Grumman plant in St Augustine, Florida, in 2024. Based on a briefing by the program officer, Captain Arrobio, during Sea Air Space 2021, the three aircraft could be the last E-2Ds to ever come out of the production line (should there be no follow-on order from the U.S. Navy or FMS customers). They will be delivered by the U.S. Navy in 2028. The Aircraft will then be flown from the United States to France for delivery. They will replace the existing E-2C Hawkeye of the French Navy. According to the French Armed Forces statement, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye designed by Northrop-Grumman, represents a generational leap forward compared to the E-2C Hawkeye. Its active electronically scanned array (AESA), cockpit and data links are notably improved.
As we reported previously, the French aircraft will feature in-flight refueling capability. The three E-2D aircraft ordered for the French Navy will be adapted to French requirements by integrating a specific computer, developed by the French Aerospace Industry Service (SIAé), which will guarantee the system’s autonomous upgrade capability.
About E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
Built by Northrop Grumman, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the latest variant of the E-2 Airborne early warning aircraft, replacing the E-2C Hawkeye. It brings revolutionary capabilities to the carrier strike group, including the new and powerful AN/APY-9 radar, which is a two-generational leap in technology.
The APY-9 radar is an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) surveillance system that provides both mechanical and electronic scanning capabilities designed to “see” smaller targets – and more of them – at a greater range, particularly in coastal regions and over land.
The U.S. Navy has awarded a multi-year procurement contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. for the purchase of 24 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft in full rate production for fiscal years 2019-2023. This is the second MYP contract awarded to NGSC. The Navy awarded the first in 2014 for the production of 25 E-2D aircraft. The U.S. congress later increased the number to 26 aircraft bringing the total number of E-2Ds on order for the U.S. Navy to 50 aircraft.
On the export side, Japan has 13 E-2D on order while France is procuring three new Advanced Hawkeyes to replace the in service E-2C Hawkeyes.
