Northrop to build 9 more E-2D Hawkeyes for Japan

US defense contractor Northrop Grumman Systems will build another nine E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft for the government of Japan.

The company was awarded a $1.36 billion contract modification by the US Naval Air Systems Command for the work.

This contract award follows the May 2019 delivery of the first E-2D aircraft to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). The country had a total of three aircraft on order prior to this contract.

In 2014, the Japanese Ministry of Defense competitively selected the E-2D to fulfill the nation’s AEW requirements. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has operated the E-2C Hawkeye since the 1983.

The contract to build the first Japanese Advanced Hawkeye was awarded to Northrop in January 2016.

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) is an upgraded version of the E-2C Hawkeye featuring improved battle space target detection and situational awareness, especially in the littorals; support of Theater Air Missile Defense (TAMD) operations; and improved operational availability.