Northrop Grumman has delivered Japan’s first E-2D Hawkeye.
Northrop Grumman has announced on May 30th the delivery of the first Japan airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) E-2D. The aircraft was delivered to the JASDF (Japan Air-Self Defense Force) on March 29th.
Created for airborne surveillance missions, Northrop Grumman’s E-2D Hawkeye could operate on humanitarian assistance operations and emergency interventions.
As Hawkeye's historical client, Japan has been using the E-2C since 1983. Thus, the JASDF is Northrop Grumman's most important client for this aircraft. E-2Cs’ current fleet counts 13 aircraft. After a first $1.7 million contract signed in June 2015 concerning four E-2Ds, a second order was commissioned in September 2018 by Japan for nine additional aircraft for $3.14 million.
The incoming E-2Ds will allow Japan to upgrade its capacity and reinforce its interoperability with the US Navy.