This event signals France’s progress towards integrating the world’s leading airborne command and control platform into its fleet. Northrop Grumman is contracted to deliver three E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, with the first aircraft expected in 2027.
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will replace the French Navy’s E-2C Hawkeye 2000 fleet, which has served for over 25 years. The new aircraft features significant technological advancements, including aerial refueling capabilities, enhancing operational flexibility and endurance.
“Our partnership with France goes back over 25 years,” said Janice Zilch, Northrop Grumman’s Vice President for Multi-Domain Command and Control Programs. “We are proud to have supported the French Navy with the Hawkeye 2000, and we look forward to providing a generational leap in decision dominance with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.”
Since entering service with the French Navy in 1998, the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 has been a vital component of air defence operations, supporting the Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group. France remains the only country, apart from the U.S., to operate these aircraft from an aircraft carrier, demonstrating a longstanding and robust interoperability between the two nations’ naval forces.
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye represents the latest evolution in Northrop Grumman’s airborne early warning and control aircraft, a lineage that spans over six decades. Described as the premier Airborne Command and Control platform, the E-2D is designed to perform effectively across land and sea domains, equipped with cutting-edge technology to counter evolving threats worldwide.
Globally, various nations rely on E-2 variants for their defence needs. Northrop Grumman’s active production line and consistent on-time delivery record ensure that the E-2D remains a benchmark in the industry. The aircraft’s innovative features continue to enhance its operational capabilities, ensuring relevance in an ever-changing threat environment.