Posted by John McHaleBETHPAGE, N.Y., 15 April 2011. Department of Defense (DOD) officials have authorized funding for an additional 10 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft from Northrop Grumman after a Defense Acquisition Board review. This follows the E-2D's first carrier landing aboard the USS Harry S. Truman.An Acquisition Decision Memorandum, signed by Dr. Ashton Carter, undersecretary of defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, validates that the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program is continuing to successfully execute all cost and schedule requirements and is on track to enter Initial Operational Test and Evaluation later this year. "The E-2D continues the Navy's integrated warfighting legacy by providing broad area coverage resulting in increased range capabilities," says Capt. Shane Gahagan, Hawkeye-Greyhound program manager, U.S. Navy. "With the E-2D's enhanced ability to work in the littoral areas and over land, the platform provides a critical capability to protect our nation's interests."The Navy's program of record is for a total of 75 aircraft, with deliveries through 2021.To date, Northrop Grumman has delivered five E-2D aircraft to the Navy and production on the 10th aircraft recently began at Northrop Grumman's East Coast Manufacturing and Flight Test Center in St. Augustine, Fla.
