Navy Awards Contract for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Cockpit Modernization

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye with the Delta System Software Configuration 6 update will include modernization of the cockpit and critical mission systems. [Credit: Northrop Grumman]

The U.S. Navy has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman to modernize the cockpit and computing architecture of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.

Often referred to as the "Navy's digital quarterback," the E-2D expands battlefield awareness and is considered the cornerstone of the service's theater air and missile defense architecture nearshore, overland, and open sea.

Under the contract, Delta System Software Configuration 6 (DSSC 6) updates to the E-2D Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft will include technical refresh of the cockpit, as well as theater combat identification.

U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye [Credit: Northrop Grumman]

The $458.2 million modernization effort is expected to take five years, GovConwire reported.

Once fielded, the open architecture of DSSC 6 will allow for the rapid integration of new nonproprietary applications and capabilities, according to Northrop Grumman. Beginning in 2029, the Navy's entire fleet will be retrofitted with updated cockpit, navigation technology, and mission systems, the company added.

“Northrop Grumman has a long partnership with the U.S. Navy on the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program to ensure with this fleet modernization that we continue to outpace evolving threats into the 2040s and beyond, with this proven airborne battle management command and control aircraft," Janice Zilch, vice president of multidomain command and control programs at Northrop Grumman, said in a statement.