Japan Air Self-Defense Force Gets Its First E-2D Hawkeye AEW&C Aircraft

Japan Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) has received its first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, manufacturer Northrop Grumman announced Wednesday.

The ASDF maintains a fleet of 13 E-2C Hawkeyes and four E-767 aircraft as part of its Airborne Early Warning Wing. The E-2Cs are likely to be decommissioned in the late 2020s.

Japan ordered four E-2Ds for $1.7 billion in 2015. During October last year, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) approved the purchase of 9 additional E-2D Hawkeye aircraft for $3.1 billion.

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft is a twin-turboprop, carrier-capable tactical air tactical airborne early warning aircraft. It is equipped with an AN/APY-9 radar, an ultra-high frequency hybrid mechanical/electronically scanned radar system with a 360-degree coverage capability. The aircraft is capable of detecting a ground-to-air cruise missile launch and stealth aircraft.