Northrop Grumman has awarded a contract to SELEX Elsag to design, integrate, test and deliver the SRT-470 high frequency (HF) radio system to install onboard the US Navy’s E-2C Hawkeye 2000 airborne early warning & command (AEW&C) aircraft.
The contract follows a contract for manufacturing, integration, testing and delivery of HF radio systems for use on E-2D Hawkeye aircraft, awarded in December 2010.
The SRT-470 HF/SSB transceiver system consists of a remote control unit to implement a human-machine interface and provides high power transmission 400W PEP/AVG as well as voice/data radio communications from 2MHz to 30MHz frequency range for avionics applications.
The transceiver also provides reliable radio communications in adverse conditions in addition to high system efficiency without additional adapter usage and can be interfaced with various antenna tuning units (ATU) dedicated to loop, wire, notch and shunt antennas.
The Hawkeye 2000 is the fifth generation production of the E-2C Hawkeye and features significant enhancements to support the Navy’s evolving theatre air and missile defence missions.
The aircraft features several reliability, and maintainability improvements which include the eight-bladed NP2000 propeller, a modular main power distribution box, a redesigned fault reporting system, and other aircraft improvements.
An additional upgrade includes the electronic support measures (ESM) system to provide enhanced electronic emissions detection, identification, and monitoring capabilities.
The aircraft also supports strike command and control, surveillance as well as guidance of search and rescue missions for the Navy.
Northrop-built all-weather E-2 Hawkeye airborne early warning and battle management aircraft served with the US Navy for more than 30 years.
Image: US Navy’s E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning & command (AEW&C) aircraft flies over the Gulf of Aden. Photo: Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder, USN.
