Grumman E-2 Hawkeye

Summary

Category	Other aircraft
Origin country	🇺🇸 United States
First flight	21 October 1960
Year of introduction	1964
Number produced	313 units
Average unit price	$80 million

Description

The Hawkeye is a smaller and more robust radar aircraft than the E-3 Sentry, allowing it to operate from aircraft carriers.

Its main mission from an aircraft carrier is to ensure the safety of a naval force against aerial and surface threats through its detection, long-range identification, control, and guidance capabilities for interception aircraft. The E-2 Hawkeye also supports airborne interception and assault missions against naval and land targets, as well as provides tactical situation awareness. Furthermore, it serves as a relay for information and data within the carrier air group and participates in special operations for guiding helitransport and combat Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. It is constantly escorted by fighters as it is unarmed.

The E-2C "Group II +" version delivered to France is the most modern version and incorporates new developments in the combat and navigation system.

Technical specifications

Version: E-2C
Crew	5 members
Operational range	2480 km (1541 mi)
Maximum speed	648 km/h (403 mph)
Wing area	65 m² (699.7 sqft)
Wingspan	24.6 m (80.6 ft)
Height	5.6 m (18.3 ft)
Length	17.6 m (57.7 ft)
Service ceiling	10577 m (34701 ft)
Empty weight	19536 kg (43069 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	57500 kg (126766 lbs)
Climb rate	13.0 m/s (42.7 ft/s)
Powerplant	2 × turboprops Rolls-Royce T56-A-427A delivering 3803 kW