E-2 Hawkeye

The E-2 Hawkeye is a carrier-based airborne Early Warning and battlespace control aircraft. It first came into service in Vietnam so that Navy carrier planes would not have to rely on Air Force aircraft like the Boeing E-3 Sentry.

Origin[edit]

Grumman won the contest in 1957 for an AEW aircraft with the prototype Hawkeye. The aircraft was designed with a 24-foot radar dome on the top, and an extra large tail with four rudders had to be fitted on because of the air disturbance.

The first aircraft were delivered to the Atlantic Fleet in 1964.

Variants[edit]

E-2B[edit]

The E-2B was the second version on the plane. It had a much improved computer system and equipment for in-flight refueling. The first ones were delivered in 1969, and all operational Hawkeyes were upgraded to E-2B.

E-2C[edit]

The E-2C had a much better radar, computer system, and electronics configuration than its two predecessors. It was delivered in 1971.