Northrop Grumman Corporation has officially commenced production of the first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye for the French Navy at its St. Augustine manufacturing facility in Florida.
As noted by the company, this marks a critical milestone in France’s effort to upgrade its airborne command and control capabilities with the world’s premier system.
The ceremony, attended by representatives from the French Navy, Northrop Grumman, Naval Air Systems Command, and the Navy International Programs Office, celebrated the start of production. France is set to receive three E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes under the contract, with the first aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2027. These new platforms will replace the aging E-2C Hawkeye 2000 fleet, which has been in operation for over 25 years.
Janice Zilch, Northrop Grumman’s vice president of multi-domain command and control programs, highlighted the longstanding partnership with France: “Our partnership with France goes back over 25 years. We are proud to have supported the French Navy with the Hawkeye 2000, and we look forward to providing a generational leap in decision dominance with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.”
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye represents a substantial upgrade over its predecessors. Equipped with state-of-the-art radar systems and aerial refueling capabilities, the aircraft offers extended operational range and enhanced performance. These capabilities make it a critical component for modern air defense and naval operations, ensuring decision-making dominance over both land and sea.
The French Navy has relied on the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 for air defense and as an integral part of the Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group. France is the only nation outside the United States to operate these aircraft from an aircraft carrier, enabling high levels of interoperability with U.S. naval forces during joint exercises.
The E-2D is the latest evolution in a lineage of Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft developed by Northrop Grumman over six decades. Operated by air forces and navies worldwide, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is renowned for its versatility and capability to address dynamic threats. Northrop Grumman’s 100% on-time delivery record ensures that the French Navy will receive its aircraft as scheduled.