BAE Systems has secured a $62 million contract from the U.S. Navy to upgrade mission systems on the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The deal underscores the platform’s growing role in distributed maritime operations and reflects continued investment in advanced sensor fusion and electronic support capabilities.
Contract Scope: Upgrading Critical Mission Systems
The contract awarded by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) covers engineering and technical services for the integration of upgraded mission systems on the E-2D fleet. According to BAE Systems and official DoD contracting data, this effort includes enhancements to the AN/ALQ-217 Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system—a key component of the aircraft’s ability to detect, identify, and geolocate electromagnetic emitters across a broad spectrum.
The AN/ALQ-217 system provides passive detection of radar and communication signals without emitting any energy itself—crucial for survivability in contested environments. BAE’s upgrades aim to improve signal processing performance, threat identification speed, and geolocation accuracy through hardware refreshes and software algorithm enhancements.
E-2D Advanced Hawkeye: Backbone of Naval Airborne ISR
Built by Northrop Grumman, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is a carrier-capable AEW&C platform that serves as a key node in naval C4ISR architecture. It features a Lockheed Martin AN/APY-9 ultra-high frequency (UHF) AESA radar capable of simultaneous air and sea surveillance over hundreds of kilometers.
With its distinctive rotating radar dome atop a twin-turboprop airframe, the E-2D provides long-range detection of cruise missiles, aircraft, surface vessels, and low-observable threats. It also functions as an airborne battle manager—coordinating fighter intercepts via Link 16 datalink and relaying real-time sensor data across naval task forces.
As part of Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO), the Hawkeye enables extended sensor reach beyond shipboard radars while remaining networked with Aegis combatants and F/A-18 Super Hornets or F-35C Lightning IIs.
AN/ALQ-217(V) Enhancements: Passive ISR in Contested Domains
The AN/ALQ-217(V) family has undergone multiple block upgrades since its initial fielding on earlier E-2C variants. The latest improvements under this contract likely align with Block III modernization efforts aimed at enhancing situational awareness against peer adversaries using advanced electronic warfare tactics.
- Increased frequency coverage: To detect emerging threats operating outside traditional bands.
- Improved signal classification: Leveraging machine learning algorithms for faster emitter ID.
- Tighter integration with onboard radar: Enabling cross-cueing between active/passive sensors.
- Reduced size-weight-power (SWaP): Allowing more efficient payload management aboard carrier-based aircraft.
This aligns with broader Pentagon efforts to improve passive sensing capabilities amid growing concerns over radar jamming, GNSS spoofing, and anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environments where emissions control is vital.
Evolving Role in Joint All-Domain Operations
The upgraded ESM suite enhances not only standalone survivability but also joint force integration under Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2). By fusing data from passive sensors like ALQ-217 with active radar returns from APY-9—and distributing it over secure networks—the E-2D becomes a critical enabler for kill chain closure across domains.
This is particularly relevant as China fields increasingly sophisticated anti-radiation weapons targeting high-emission platforms like AWACS or Aegis ships. Passive detection allows earlier threat warning without compromising platform location or survivability—key attributes for forward-deployed assets in Indo-Pacific scenarios such as Taiwan Strait contingencies or South China Sea patrols.
Sustainment Pathway Through FY2028
The current award is part of a multi-year sustainment roadmap that supports over 75 operational E-2Ds across five squadrons within Carrier Air Wings (CVWs). Deliverables under this phase are expected through FY2028 depending on future options exercised by NAVAIR.
This follows earlier awards totaling over $200 million since FY2020 related to Block III development—including cockpit digitalization via glass displays, aerial refueling capability integration via probe-and-drogue systems (now IOC), and improved mission computer throughput for multi-sensor fusion tasks.
Strategic Implications for Carrier Strike Groups
The continued investment into platforms like the E-2D reflects their irreplaceable role within Carrier Strike Group operations—particularly amid renewed focus on distributed lethality concepts where every asset must contribute both sensors and shooters into an integrated kill web architecture.
The combination of long-range radar surveillance with passive electronic support makes the Advanced Hawkeye uniquely suited to operate at standoff ranges while maintaining maritime domain awareness across large oceanic theaters—a capability unmatched by UAVs or space-based assets alone due to latency or weather limitations.
