During April 2026. Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with Northrop Grumman, completed flight testing of the Digital Receiver Exciter Recorder (DREXR) upgrade for the U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft.
The successful tests strengthen the Navy’s ability to detect, track and counter evolving threats in contested and austere environments, reinforcing the E-2D’s critical role in defending the Carrier Strike Group. The upgrade enhances commanders’ situational awareness and decision-making speed, providing a decisive operational advantage across the battlespace.
DREXR is a compact, single-box upgrade, replacing the current Exciter and Receiver subsystems, that delivers next-generation radar performance while extending the operational life of the Navy’s premier airborne early warning platform. During flight testing, the joint industry team validated key capabilities, including wideband transmit and receive, independent transmit per radar element, and software-defined waveform functionality. The team also collected critical radar data through the integrated recorder to support mission analysis and ongoing advanced capability development, including artificial intelligence.
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is one of the most capable airborne early warning and command-and-control aircraft ever developed. Designed to operate from aircraft carriers, it serves as the "eyes of the fleet," providing long-range surveillance, battle management, and command and control for naval and joint forces. Although the distinctive rotating radar dome makes it instantly recognizable, the E-2D is far more than a flying radar station. It is a sophisticated airborne command post that integrates information from multiple sensors, manages friendly aircraft and ships, detects emerging threats, and enables long-range engagements against enemy aircraft and missiles.
Evolution of the Hawkeye
The Hawkeye family traces its origins to the early 1960s when the U.S. Navy sought a carrier-based airborne early warning aircraft capable of detecting enemy bombers and coordinating fleet air defense. The original E-2A entered service in 1964, followed by improved E-2B and E-2C variants that served throughout the Cold War and in conflicts including Operation Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, and numerous humanitarian missions.
Design and Airframe
Although the E-2D resembles earlier Hawkeye variants externally, numerous internal improvements distinguish it from its predecessors.
The aircraft measures approximately 17.6 metres in length with a wingspan of 24.6 metres. It is powered by two Rolls-Royce T56-A-427A turboprop engines producing over 5 100 shaft horsepower each. Maximum speed exceeds 300 knots, while operational altitude reaches approximately 37 000 feet. Endurance is typically five to six hours, although aerial refuelling capability now allows significantly longer missions.
Like previous Hawkeye models, the E-2D features folding wings for carrier storage and a large 24-foot rotating radar dome mounted above the fuselage. This iconic rotodome rotates continuously during flight, providing uninterrupted 360-degree radar coverage.
APY-9 Radar
The heart of the E-2D is its AN/APY-9 radar, regarded as one of the world's most capable airborne surveillance systems. The system combines mechanical rotation with an electronically scanned array. This hybrid approach enables exceptional long-range detection while maintaining continuous all-around surveillance. The radar provides simultaneous tracking of aircraft, cruise missiles, ships, and land targets over vast areas. The APY-9 offers several major advantages:
- Detection of low-flying cruise missiles
- Improved tracking of stealthier aircraft
- Enhanced performance over land and coastal environments
- Simultaneous air and surface surveillance
- Resistance to electronic jamming
- Tracking of thousands of targets simultaneously
Operational roles and flexibility
The five-member crew (two pilots and three mission systems operators) work together to build a comprehensive tactical picture by integrating data from onboard sensors, naval vessels, fighter aircraft, satellites, and other intelligence sources. This information is distributed in real time throughout the joint force using advanced datalinks.
It directs interceptors toward hostile aircraft, coordinates missile defence, manages airspace, supports strike operations, and maintains situational awareness across hundreds of kilometres.
Through the Naval Integrated Fire Control–Counter Air (NIFC-CA) network, the Hawkeye can enable ships to engage targets well beyond the horizon using missiles such as the SM-6. In many cases, the launching vessel does not need to detect the target itself; the E-2D provides the necessary tracking information, dramatically extending the fleet's defensive reach.
Its open-architecture mission systems allow rapid integration of new sensors, software, and communications equipment throughout its service life. The aircraft exchanges information using secure tactical datalinks, enabling seamless coordination with:
- F-35 Lightning II fighters
- F/A-18E/F Super Hornets
- Aegis-equipped destroyers and cruisers
- Other naval aircraft
- Joint and coalition forces
- Ground-based command centres
This allows commanders to share a common operating picture across multiple domains, significantly improving decision-making and reducing response times.
The E-2D’s missions extend well beyond traditional airborne early warning and include:
- Air defence coordination
- Maritime surveillance
- Surface target tracking
- Strike coordination
- Search and rescue support
- Communications relay
- Humanitarian assistance
- Border security operations
International Operators
The United States Navy remains the largest operator of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, with aircraft assigned to Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadrons deployed aboard nuclear-powered aircraft carriers worldwide.
The aircraft has also attracted international customers seeking advanced airborne early warning capabilities. Japan has acquired the E-2D to strengthen its surveillance of regional airspace and maritime approaches, while France selected the aircraft to operate from its next-generation aircraft carrier, ensuring interoperability with U.S. naval forces.
Future Outlook
The E-2D is expected to remain in frontline service well into the 2040s. Continued upgrades focus on software improvements, enhanced electronic warfare capabilities, advanced networking, and support for emerging missile defence requirements.
The addition of aerial refuelling capability has significantly increased mission endurance, allowing aircraft to remain airborne for much longer periods when supported by tanker aircraft. This improvement enhances persistent surveillance during extended naval operations.
