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U. S.
Military Aircraft Grumman E-2 HAWKEYE Photo by Salamander |
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After the Second World War airborne surveillance radar made rapid progress, making it possible to detect increasingly smaller abject at ever lengthening ranges. This led to the concept of airborne early warning planes, including the Grumman E-1 Tracer for the US. Navy. To succeed this plane, Grumman produced the E-2. The prototype flew in October 1960, and the E-2A enter service in January 1964. The late 1960s and the 70s saw a revolution in electronic miniaturization, allowing the creation of more capable radar and advanced computers to aid in the assessment of radar and other data. This turned the Hawkeye from an AEW platform into a true warning and command system able to watch airspace to a radius of 300 miles, tracking more than 2,000 surface and air targets, and directing 40 friendly fighters. More than 215 aircraft have been ordered. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
| Manufacturer: Grumman | Length: 57 ft. 6.75 in. |
| First Flight: October, 1960 | Height: 18 ft. 3.75 in. |
| Model: C | Wing Span: 80 ft. 7 in. |
| Crew: Five | Wing Area: 700.0 sq. ft. |
| Nickname: Hawkeye | Empty Weight: 38,063 lb. |
| Basic Role: carrier borne and land based airborne early warning and command system aircraft. | Max. Weight: 51,933 lb. |
| Other Versions: E-2A initial model with ASP-96 radar capable of over water operation. E-2B conversion with ASP-120 radar and a more capable computer system adding overland capability. E-2C definitive model delivered from 1973 with ASP-125 radar and ALR-59 electronic support measures, being replaced by ASP-138/139 radar and ALR-73 ESM, to be replaced by APS-145 radar. TE-2C trainer. | Armament: None |
| Principal User: Egypt, Israel, Japan, Singapore, and USA. |
Propulsion |
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Performance |
Power Plant: Allison T56-A-425 turboprops. |
| Range: Radius 200 miles for a four hour patrol. | Horsepower: 4,910-ehp. |
| Max. Speed: 374 mph. | No. Of Engines: Two |
| Ceiling: 30,800 ft. | |
| Climb Rate: |