Northrop Grumman and the US Navy are working on exportability of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, as India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) move towards airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) competitions. "We are working the process," says Capt Tom Carrell, E-2 foreign military sales integrated product team leader.
Having let a previous US offer of E-2C Hawkeyes lapse, the UAE has issued a detailed request for information (RFI) - "almost an RFP [request for proposals]", says Northrop - on AEW&C platforms. Compared with the previous programme, the company says, the RFI describes a "more robust requirement" aligned with the UAE's Vision 2010 network-centric operating concept. Other companies responding include Boeing with its 737-based AEW&C platform, and a decision is expected in mid-2007.
The Indian navy has yet to reach the stage of a formal RFP for a land-based AEW&C capability, but dialogue is under way, Northrop says.
Procurement of the current E-2C Hawkeye 2000 for the USN is scheduled to end in fiscal year 2009, but Northrop's production line could be kept open for export customers, the company says.
Featuring a new radar with improved overland and littoral performance, the developmental E-2D is set to fly next year. The new aircraft will enter service in 2012 and would normally be available for export around the same time.
Source: Flight International
