E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft (E-2D AHE) is a Major Defense Acquisition Program managed by the U.S. Department of Defense under Acquisition Category IC. The program encompasses the development, procurement, and sustainment of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, a carrier-based airborne early warning and battle management aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance and command and control capabilities to Navy carrier strike groups. The program follows the Major Capability Acquisition pathway and represents a significant modernization of the Navy's airborne early warning capabilities.

Contract awards associated with the program typically range from small purchase orders of $30,000 to large delivery orders exceeding $600 million, with performance periods generally spanning 1-5 years. Primary contractors include Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (airframe, systems integration, and sustainment), Rolls-Royce Corporation (T56-A-427A engine maintenance and repair), and Lockheed Martin Corporation (radar and electronics support). Notable subcontractors include BAE Systems, Honeywell International, and Collins Aerospace. The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) are the primary funding agencies, with most work performed in Melbourne, Florida (Northrop Grumman) and Indianapolis, Indiana (Rolls-Royce). The program predominantly utilizes unrestricted competition without set-asides, employing both firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract types for various aspects of aircraft production, modification, and sustainment.