| E-2C/E-2C+ AIRCRAFT
DESCRIPTION Contractor:
Northrop Grumman (Prime),
Westinghouse
Type:
Early warning and control
aircraft
Power Plant:
E-2C: Two
Allison T56-A-425 turboprops; each has approximately
4,600 horsepower
E-2C+: Two
Allison T56-A-427 engines; each has approximately 5,100
horsepower; since 1988
Accommodations:
Crew of five—two
pilots and three operators.
Performance:
E-2C:
maximum speed 350 knots; range 1,300 nautical miles
E-2C+:
maximum speed 350 knots; range 1,500 nautical miles
Countermeasures:
Not applicable
Armament:
E-2C:
Lockheed Martin Ocean,
Radar, and Surveillance Systems [ex General Electric Corporation] AN/APS-138 radar since 1984;
AN/APS-139
since 1988
E-2C+:
Lockheed Martin Ocean,
Radar, and Surveillance Systems [ex General Electric Corporation]
AN/APS-145 radar since 1991
All: AN/ALR-73
Passive Detection System, IFF
Mission and
Capabilities:
- High-wing,
all-weather, carrier-based airborne early warning
and control (AEW&C) aircraft that patrols
task force defense perimeters
- Provides early
warning of approaching enemy aircraft and vectors
interceptors into attack position
- In addition to its
primary AEW function, can also provide strike and
traffic control, area surveillance, search and
rescue guidance, navigational assistance,
communications relay, and drug interdiction.
- Group II upgrade to
E-2C+ is the biggest advance in AEW technology in
two decades.
- AN/APS-145 radar
provides fully automatic overland detection and
tracking and significantly extends the radar
detection limits. The radar capable of
detecting targets anywhere within a three-million-cubic-mile surveillance envelope while
simultaneously monitoring maritime traffic.
- An Enhanced
High-Speed Processor, which expands the active
track file by 400% over previous versions, is
incorporated into the mission computer. Each E-2C can maintain all-weather
patrols, track, automatically and simultaneously, more than 600 targets, and control more
than 40 airborne intercepts.
- Enhanced Main Display
Units provide operators with improved visual
representation.
- Joint Tactical
Information Distribution System (JTIDS)
incorporates several anti-jam features to allow
uninterrupted voice and data communications,
thereby enhancing interoperability.
Program Summary:
- In service with Naval
Air Forces Atlantic and Naval Air Forces Pacific,
as well as the armed forces of Israel, Japan,
Egypt, Singapore, and Taiwan
- Will be delivered to
France in 1997
- Discussions with
several other potential customers are ongoing.
- The Hawkeye entered
service in 1961 as the E-2A and was updated in
1969 to the E-2B.
- E-2C was introduced
in 1973.
- In 1978, the
AN/APS-125 Advanced Radar Processing System was
introduced and was succeeded in 1984 by the
AN/APS-138 (now referred to as Group 0).
- Retirement has begun;
only 53 of these aircraft remain in the
inventory.
- In 1988, Group I
version was introduced; this featured an upgraded
T56-A-427 engine, which eliminated operating
restrictions imposed by growth in the
aircraft’s gross weight due to incorporation
of new systems.
- Radar was updated to
the AN/APS-139 with a High-Speed Processor that
doubled the track files maintained by the system.
- Eighteen Group I
aircraft were built and are being upgraded to
Group II configuration.
- The AN/APS-145 radar
alleviates saturation, track overload, and
overland tracking clutter.
- Group II increases
radar and IFF range, radar volume, target track
capability, number of targets displayed, and
target recognition capability through the use of
color displays.
- Group I and Group II
aircraft are also referred to as E-2C+.
E-2 TECHNICAL DATA:
External
Dimensions
| Wing span |
24.56 m |
| Wing chord: (at
root) |
3.96 m |
| Wing chord (at
tip) |
1.32 m |
| Wing aspect ratio |
8.94 m |
| Length overall |
17.54 m |
| Height overall |
5.58 m |
| Diameter of
rotodome |
7.32 m |
| Tailplane span |
7.99 m |
| Wheel track |
5.93 m |
| Wheel base |
7.06 m |
| Propeller
diameter |
4.11 m |
Areas
| Wings, gross |
65.03
m2 |
| Ailerons (totals) |
5.76
m2 |
| Trailing-edge
flaps (total) |
11.03
m2 |
| Fins, include
rudders and tabs: |
|
- Outboard
(total)
|
10.25
m2 |
- Inboard
(total)
|
4.76
m2 |
| Tailplane |
11.62
m2 |
| Elevators (total) |
3.72
m2 |
Weights and Loadings
| Weight empty |
17,859 kg |
| Maximum fuel
(internal, usable) |
5,624 kg |
| Maximum T-O
weight |
5,624 kg |
| Maximum power
loading |
3.18 kg/kW |
Performance (at maximum Takeoff Weight)
| Maximum level
speed |
338 knots |
| Cruising speed
(ferry) |
259 knots |
| Approach speed |
103 knots |
| Stalling speed
(landing configuration) |
75 knots |
| Service ceiling |
11,275 m |
| Minimum T-O run |
564 m |
| T-O to 15 m |
793 m |
| Minimum landing
run |
439 m |
| Combat Radius |
1,500 Km |
| Ferry range |
1,542 nm |
| Time on station,
175 nautical miles from base |
4 hr. 24 min |
| Endurance with
maximum fuel |
6 hr. 15 min |
|
