Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye (JASDF) Egg Plane Papercraft Model
Although the US Navy has had a long-standing desire for a reconnaissance platform and aerial survey, it has taken a long time to realize a reconnaissance aircraft that can operate on aircraft carriers. However, it will take several more years for computers to have enough power to track and process more than one target at a time. This desire was finally realized when Grumman was declared the winner of the Navy contract to build an airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft.
The Grumman design features twin turboprop engines mounted under the high-mounted wings. The long fuselage can be crewed by five people, including three mission specialists. There is a large rotating "Radom" mounted on the mast above the "juncture" of the wing. To cope with the airflow around the "radome", the tail is attached to four fins on a horizontal tail with a significant dihedral. This design first flew in 1960, initially known as the W2F-1, but was later given the name E-2A Hawkeye before it entered service.
The Navy received 59 E-2A aircraft in 1967 but was soon upgraded to standard E-2B with the installation of more powerful processing computers and aerial refueling equipment. Shortly thereafter, Grumman began producing the new E-2C model which included a much more sophisticated avionics system and a more powerful engine. These aircraft are continuously upgraded with new radars and sensors, more sophisticated avionics systems, better processing equipment, and software upgrades that allow them to track 250 targets and control 30 interceptors at the same time.
To protect the US fleet, the E-2 is also used by agency agencies to track drug trafficking. The E-2 is also popular in the French Navy and several other countries. About 150 E-2C Hawkeyes are being built for low-rate production. A new variant called E-2D with new electronic equipment is also under development. (Wikipedia)
Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye (JASDF) Egg Plane Papercraft Model
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