Aircraft
More Hawkeye Exports as U.S. Navy Introduces Enhancements
Japan and France are in the process of buying E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes to replace their current E-2C fleets.
Japan’s 601 Hikotai has operated 13 Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeyes since 1987. An initial buy of four E-2Ds has now been followed by a batch of nine to permit a one-for-one fleet upgrade. (Photo: Japan Air Self-Defense Force)
Japan’s 601 Hikotai has operated 13 Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeyes since 1987. An initial buy of four E-2Ds has now been followed by a batch of nine to permit a one-for-one fleet upgrade. (Photo: Japan Air Self-Defense Force)

Northrop Grumman has received a $1.4 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract from the U.S. Department of Defense covering the supply of nine E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale of up to nine E-2Ds to Japan in September 2018, and Japanese defense minister Takeshi Iwaya announced the deal on October 12, 2018.