Northrop Grumman has performed the first flight of Japan's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning and surveillance aircraft.
Completed in early October from the US airframer's facility in St Augustine, Florida, the milestone was announced by the company on 15 November.
Northrop Grumman
Tokyo's defence ministry selected the E-2D in 2014 to meet the Japan Air Self Defence Force's requirement for airborne early warning aircraft.
It initially ordered a solitary example, doubling its commitment in August 2016. Both aircraft are scheduled to be handed over next year.
Japan currently operates a fleet of 13 older C-model Hawkeyes.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
