The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) on March 29 took delivery of its first Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. Northrop Grumman said in a statement that the platform, which was procured under a contract signed in 2015, “This aircraft provides a significant increase in early warning and surveillance capability to outpace Japan’s evolving security needs. The aircraft can also be used in a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capacity for civilian emergency coordination,” said Jane Bishop, vice president and integrated product team leader, manned airborne surveillance programs, Northrop Grumman.
The JASDF currently operates a fleet of 13 E-2C Hawkeye and four E-767 aircraft as part of its AEW Wing. In addition to the four E-2Ds ordered in November 2015, July 2016, June 2018 and October 2018, Japan requested an additional nine AEW&C aircraft under a USD3.135 billion proposed Foreign Military Sale. Radio and navigation systems, spare parts and logistical support would also be included with the new air surveillance and airborne command aircraft Japan previously operated the Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye since 1983 and is the largest E-2 operator outside the U.S. The E-2Cs will all be phased out of the service by the late 2020s.
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the latest variant of the E-2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, replacing the E-2C Hawkeye. It brings revolutionary capabilities to the carrier strike group, including the new and powerful AN/APY-9 radar, which is a two-generational leap in technology. The Advanced Hawkeyes will help the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in surveilling and securing the country’s airspace but also its territorial waters, as they are capable of detecting both aircraft and ships. The APY-9 Radar fitted in the E-2D has an effective range of over 500 km (270 nautical miles).
