U.S. Navy orders Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye military aircraft, keeps program on track for 2015

BETHPAGE, N.Y., 20 July 2013.Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC) won a $113.7 million U.S. Navy advance acquisition contract for long lead materials and related support for five full-rate production Lot 2 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) rated the program operationally suitable and effective earlier this year following a test and evaluation period, enabling parties involved to proceed with full-rate production.

"This contract award, along with OSD's full rate production decision, is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the entire E-2D team to deliver on its promise of a mature, capable and effective E-2D Advanced Hawkeye," explains Bart LaGrone, vice president, E-2/C-2 programs, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "In today's challenging defense budget environment, it is imperative that we remain focused on providing the U.S. Navy with a more affordable airborne early warning, command and control solution."

The Navy's E-2D program of record is at 75 aircraft. This contract award is another step forward in bringing the total current procurement of E-2D aircraft, including low-rate initial production and full-rate production aircraft, to 30, a spokesperson describes.

Northrop Grumman delivered the 10th E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to the U.S. Navy last month. Ten additional aircraft are in various stages of manufacturing and predelivery flight testing at Northrop Grumman’s Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence in St. Augustine, Fla.

Initial operational capability with the U.S. Navy remains on track for 2015.

Follow Avionics Intelligence news updates on Twitter (@Avionics_Intel), LinkedIn, and Google+.