The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye has achieved a milestone in cooperative airpower by completing in-flight refuelling with three French tanker platforms for the first time, the UK Defence Journal understands.
Tests carried out this summer saw the U.S. Navy’s command-and-control aircraft refuel from French Rafale, A330 MRTT, and A400M aircraft. The effort was coordinated between the E-2/C-2 Airborne Command & Control Systems Program Office (PMA-231) and France’s procurement agency, the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), with support from the French Navy and Air Force.
According to U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, the trials extend the E-2D’s endurance and enable more seamless integration in multinational operations.
The aircraft is described as the most advanced command-and-control platform in the world, with its APY-9 radar system designed to track modern threats in littoral, overland and open-ocean environments.
The E-2D entered service as a successor to the E-2C Hawkeye, introducing what the Navy calls a two-generation leap in capability through improved sensors, supportability and readiness. With aerial refuelling, the platform can remain on station for longer periods to provide continuous airborne surveillance and battle management.
France became the second international customer of the E-2D in December 2020, ordering three aircraft to replace its E-2C fleet from 2028. DGA and the French Navy plan to continue refuelling trials and training to support that transition.
Imagine if the RN had built a couple of CTOL carriers instead . . .
Hornets, Hawkeyes, and Growlers, oh, my . . .
We would have F35C instead.
That too
It winds me up that decisions like this are made, and then just forgotten without consequence.
I recall at the time being as clear minded as I am today, of how short sighted and idiotic the decision really was.
Stick some Solar Panels on top that Radar thing, Job done.
That too.
And some Tomcats ????
For the U.K. , which is more useful? Three E-7s or a whole squadron of E-2D? I suppose endurance is one the key criteria so that still tends towards the E-7. Interesting consideration though.
interesting question. true that E7 offers much better range and endurance, but E2 has its advantages like carrier operations and being able to operate from shorter and “austere” runways, which means they can be deployed much closer to operations and mitigates endurance/range factor in times of war.
it seems the US military has chosen the latter (in addition to space based detection) for better survivability since the E2 is also smaller on radar, which is not insignificant since missile ranges are always increasing..
anyway some US politicians are still pushing for E7 in US. we will have to wait what is ultimately decided in the end.
these questions not only affect AWACS, but also tankers. The US is looking for more survivable platforms such as stealth tankers as well as using business jet refuelling platforms
will be interesting to see how all this evolves over the coming years.
God how I wish our A-400s could be used for air to air refueling. The A-330 MMRT for strategic and the A-400 for tactical. For the RN I would settle for a emals lite and the MQ-25 Stingray in the refueling mode plus they now seem to be able to carry LRASMs and a electro-optical gimble. Arrestor gear would also be required, this might as well be a full set up to be able to land any NATO naval aircraft in an emergency.
In wartime the a400 will be used for refuelling. Only limitation now is the wording of the extant air refuelling contract. There is no technical reason