Advanced Hawkeye

Mission — Advanced Hawkeye source

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) program provides the Navy with a carrier-based airborne command and control platform, which is equipped with the APY-9 radar system, multiple communications systems for data and voice, and additional sensor systems. All of these systems are integrated into the aircraft via a computing infrastructure that is highly automated, which enables a highly trained crew of just 5 aviators to conduct battle management that would otherwise require several dozen personnel at multiple locations. E-2D is a core pillar of theater and carrier strike group air defense and is a key enabler to Joint long-range fire kill webs necessary to defeat the threats of our peer adversaries. Work has begun on upgrading the 25-year-old computing architecture of the AHE that will allow the Navy to lead the Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) efforts in any theater. As production of the airplane winds down (final airframe procurement is scheduled for FY26), the threat continues to increase in both capability and capacity. The E-2D Research, Development, Test and Evaluation budget reflects the Navy's investment into the E-2D to ensure that the US maintains a tactical advantage over any adversary. Efforts initiated in recent years ensure that the E-2D can outpace the threat, and include upgrades to the air vehicle, mission systems, datalinks, and sensors. The program integrates and tests these new capabilities and provides Fleet concurrent training equipment upgrades. Subsequent to successful testing, new capabilities are delivered on a regularly scheduled basis and are put together as a Delta System/Software Configuration (DSSC) package to ensure commonality and configuration control across the Fleet. Among the other E-2D mission systems R&D efforts, there are 2 major initiatives that will ensure that the E-2D is ready & relevant into the coming decades. First, obsolete and failing components of the 15-year-old cockpit design are being addressed by HECTR (Hawkeye Cockpit Technical Refresh), which ensures a higher safety margin for carrier landings after 8-12 hour sorties and will substantially decrease sustainment costs over the lifecycle of the aircraft. Second is TCID (Theater Combat Identification), which includes upgrades to the 25 year-old computing infrastructure mentioned above. TCID will bring Multi-Level Security and Cross-Domain solutions through an Open Mission System (OMS) Architecture. TCID is the key to establishing the CNO's vision for the Naval Operational Architecture and the Joint Chiefs' vision for JADC2. HECTR and TCID are planned for DSSC-6, FY30 delivery. JUSTIFICATION FOR BUDGET ACTIVITY: This program is funded under SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION because it includes those projects that have passed Milestone B approval and are conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirement prior to full-rate production decision.

Mission — E-2D Adv Hawkeye source

The DSSC build schedule is outlined below along with the capabilities that are planned to comprise each DSSC build. 1. DSSC-5.1 will provide a Counter Electronic Attack (CEA) capability which will allow the E-2D radar system to maintain performance in an advanced hostile intentional electromagnetic interference environment. CEA will ensure continuous E-2D effectiveness is maintained in an Electronic Attack environment supporting the Navy Integrated Fire Control (NIFC) capability and overall Navy and Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense strategy. 2. DSSC-5.1 and 5.2 will provide phased E-2D Data Fusion Improvements for a fusion engine to blend on and off-board sensor derived track data (e.g. Electronic Surveillance, Satellite Receiver System data, Fighter to Fighter backlink data) with already blended radar, Identify Friend or Foe and Cooperative Engagement Capability track files, enhancing situational awareness and tactical decision making. Integrating Link-16 Network Participation Group 20 messages improves interoperability between E-2D and participating US Navy fighters, including 5th generation aircraft. This enhances the combat effectiveness of the E-2D, increases situational awareness and shortens kill-chain timeliness (including NIFC). Successful E-2D NIFC employment depends on a clear/unambiguous tactical picture. 3. DSSC-5.2 provides phased E-2D Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) Signal Data Processor (SDP) processing capacity and cryptographic upgrades required to implement the NIFC capabilities integrated into DSSC-5. CEC utilizes the SDP to encrypt tactical data and control the antenna during transmission of the data. This capability will correct obsolescence deficiencies based on processors, encryption, and capacity and establish the baseline architecture for expanded capability in CEC. The fully integrated E-2D Communication-as-a-Service (CaaS) will enhance CEC improvements to ensure resilient communication paths for tactical information throughout the battlespace. CEC Block II capabilities will ensure continued interoperability with the rest of the carrier strike groups and enable new CEC capabilities necessary to counter expected advances in threat capabilities. Initial integration of CEC Block II capabilities must be conducted on time to maintain interoperability and keep pace with expected threats. 4. DSSC-5.1 and 5.2 will provide phased E-2D Sensor Netting capabilities which provide fusion of data from off-board sources via a high bandwidth network that will allow E-2D to support NIFC increment 3 requirements. Additional details are classified. 1. E-2D Hawkeye Cockpit Technical Refresh (HECTR) involves a redesign of critical components of the current E-2D Integrated Navigation Control and Display System (INCDS) driven by component obsolescence and fleet identified deficiencies. The effort includes the integration of these components with remaining cockpit hardware, integration of new software applications, and integration with Theater Combat Identification (TCID) weapon system architecture. HECTR will bring a Required Navigation Performance Area Navigation (RNP RNAV) capability to the E-2D platform, to improve reliability, to address current human machine interface (HMI) deficiencies and to address obsolescence of the current cockpit. All current functions of the INCDS will be included in the HECTR cockpit, to include unique non-navigation functions such as landing gear and gross take-off weight, which are currently housed in the Avionics Flight Management Computer. 2. E-2D Theater Combat Identification (TCID) including Mission Computer Display re-architecture enables the E-2D to distribute longer range and more accurate Combat Identification data to the Carrier Strike Group (CSG). E-2D will receive National Technical Means (NTM) and tactical TCID data at all security levels and filter/distribute at the highest possible security levels to the tactical edge. Using the Open Mission Systems (OMS) design, the new mission computer architecture will provide multi-level security and cyber hardening provisions to support current and planned capabilities. The OMS design will allow faster integration of these capabilities required to pace the evolving threat. The fully integrated E-2D Communication-as-a-Service (CaaS) will enhance TCID improvements to ensure resilient communication paths for tactical information throughout the battlespace. Aerial Refueling (AR) Capability: AR capability allows the E-2D AHE to receive fuel from various organic and non-organic tanker aircraft. It provides Expanded Battle Space Surveillance and Targeting through significantly enhanced persistence and increased flexibility (range & endurance). AR enables the E-2D AHE to fully support current Carrier Strike Group /Joint 24/7 Theater Operations by providing more versatile stationing and/or forward basing options. Previous E-2D testing established operational envelopes for KC-10, KC-130, KC-135, KC-707, and F/A-18E/F aircraft under E-2 Squadrons, PE 0204152N. Future AR tanker testing will include qualification of KC46, F/A-18 tanker and MQ-25. ESM E-2D capabilities for the ALQ-217: E-2D AN/ALQ-217 Electronic Support Measures (ESM) integrates digital receiver and processing technology. The ALQ-217B digital Advanced Digital Receiver/Processor (ADRP) addresses all known and imminent obsolescence issues in ALQ-217B Receiver/Processor. The replacement incorporates technical solutions to meet current and future mandates to support mission needs against evolving threats. Counter Electronic Attack (CEA) capability: E-2D CEA capability will allow the E-2D radar system to maintain performance in an advanced hostile electromagnetic interference environment. The E-2D CEA program will ensure continuous E-2D effectiveness is maintained in an Electronic Attack environment supporting the NIFC and long-range fires capability and overall Navy and Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense strategy. Software Support Activity: Software Support Activity provides system requirements and integration in software development environments and software integration labs to support the E-2D software and hardware configurations. This includes software development tools, test tools, and hardware benches. Details of this project are classified.

Mission — Congressional Adds source

Congressional Add. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and associated APY-9 radar meet the requirements specified in the Capabilities Development Document (CDD), including detection ranges, detection velocities, and tracking accuracies, verified through extensive developmental and operational flight testing and deployed operations. Program increase for E-2D advanced radar development to stay ahead of the evolving threat.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (3)