E-2

This is coolbert:

Thanks here again to “Machine Design” magazine.

The E-2 U.S. Navy [USN] early warning aircraft is getting a makeover.

Called the Hawkeye. Has been a mainstay of the fleet for decades now. Will be the mainstay for decades more to come now?

A carrier-borne aircraft that performs an AWACS function.

Will be refurbished with a number of improvements. To include:

* New and more powerful radar. Will have a greater range, and a better look down capability.

* New engines. More powerful, using less fuel and equipped with new propellers [8 blade version] that make the engine even more efficient.

* An on-board local area network [LAN] for processing of radar obtained mission-essential data. The LAN will be tied together with fiber optic cable. Fiber optic cable allowing for greater data carrying capacity at much reduced weight.

* A new cooling system for all the additional electronics.

Seventy-five E-2 will receive a makeover in this manner. Also reflects an appreciation that the Navy will need an improved AWACS type aircraft for operations in what are called littoral [coastline] waters. The type of operations the USN would have to engage in during combat with China over Taiwan for instance.

"littoral

(DOD) The littoral comprises two segments of battlespace: 1. Seaward: the area from the open ocean to the shore, which must be controlled to support operations ashore. 2. Landward: the area inland from the shore that can be supported and defended directly from the sea."

The U.S. military seems to be very good at this sort of thing. Refurbishment of an existing weapons system to create a much more modern, versatile, effective and DEADLY piece of equipment. This can be seen with the B-52 bomber, the Hercules transport aircraft, the M-48 tank, the M4 rifle, the Gavin M-113, etc. A cheaper and quicker method to improve “things”, but effective. A sound concept.

And now with the E-2 Hawkeye. Take the basic airframe and modify, and voila’, a new and improved bird, ready to fly. I would have to think that the rigors of aircraft carrier takeoffs [catapult assisted] and landings [cable arrestor assisted] have to place an enormous metal fatigue strain on ANY airplane. That a Hawkeye or any other USN aircraft can be kept in working order and last as long as they do is remarkable just of itself!

Hats off to the Navy and good luck.

coolbert