Unmatched ‘HUMMER’: The Inaugural Aircraft Designed Exclusively for Airborne Early Warning

E-2 Hawkeye: Six Decades of Active Service and All-Weather Capabilities for Tactical Airborne Early Warning from Aircraft Carriers

Designed in the 1950s, the E-2 Hawkeye took its maiden flight in 1960 and entered service in 1964. Today, remarkably, the E-2 is still in production, making it the longest-produced carrier-based aircraft ever.

The E-2 Hawkeye was designed to replace the E-1 Tracer and was the first aircraft ever built from scratch specifically for airborne early warning (AEW). Prior to the E-2, AEW aircraft were modified from existing platforms, indicating that AEW capabilities were not initially a primary consideration.

One distinctive feature of the E-2 is the humming sound of its engines, earning it the nickname “Hummer.” This unique sound sets it apart from the jet-engine-equipped aircraft typically found on aircraft carriers, such as the F/A-18 and F-35.

Although the E-2 has served as a workhorse success story, its initial design process faced challenges. The U.S. Navy had specific requirements, including the ability to integrate data with the Naval Tactical Data System on Navy vessels. Additionally, the E-2 had to be capable of landing on aircraft carriers, which was particularly challenging given the size limitations of carriers in the 1950s.

The finished E-2 Hawkeye featured high wings, two Allison T56 turboprop engines, a retractable tricycle landing gear, and a tail hook for carrier landings. However, despite these efforts, the E-2 never operated from the Essex-class carriers for which it was originally designed.

One of the most distinctive features of the E-2 is its 24-foot diameter rotating radar dome, known as a rotodome. This dome houses the E-2’s long-range radar and IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) system, essential for its mission.

The E-2 is the only carrier-based aircraft that features a rotodome; typically, rotodome-equipped aircraft, like the E-3 Sentry, are land-based. To save space on the aircraft carrier, the E-2 features a Sto-Wing, which can fold to save space when the Hawkeye is not in use. When in operation, the E-2 requires a five-person crew, including a pilot, co-pilot, combat information center officer, air control officer, and radar operator.

While the E-2 has enjoyed an enduring service history, it faced challenges upon entering service in 1964, primarily related to inadequate cooling systems that led to overheating of its avionics equipment. The entire fleet had to be grounded due to the widespread nature of the problem.

Several upgrades were made, especially in the realm of onboard computer systems, resulting in the E-2B variant, which proved to be much more reliable. Over time, the E-2 established itself as a fundamental component of modern carrier air wings. Today, six decades after its debut, each carrier air wing features four E-2s, highlighting its continued significance in naval aviation.

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