The French navy has taken delivery of the first of three Northrop Grumman Hawkeye E-2C airborne early warning aircraft destined for the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.Under the Fr5.9 billion ($1 billion) foreign military sales deal, the aircraft will be supplied with pilot and mission simulators, spares and a training package. Initial crew training will be carried out in the USA, with operational preparation at the Lann-Bihoué naval base in Brittany. The first aircraft will enter service in parallel with the Charles de Gaulle during 2000. The second and third are due for delivery in early 2000 and 2003.
Source: Flight International
