An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye lands on the USS Harry S. Truman to begin its Carrier Suitability Testing. (Northrop photo)
Posted on 02/02/2011 6:16:48 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
E-2D Begins Carrier Suitability Testing Aboard CVN 75
(Source: US Naval Air Systems Command; issued February 1, 2011)
NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, MD –-- The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, the Navy’s newest airborne early warning and command and control aircraft, began Carrier Suitability Testing aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) today to assess its effectiveness in an operational environment.
During this test phase, all aspects of aviation/ship integration are addressed, including logistics, manpower and interoperability, as well as catapult and arrested landing structural tests.
Aircraft 501, flight test team and pilots assigned to the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 20 (VX-20) here are being used to test the aircraft aboard the CVN 75.
“(The) Truman is here to provide the squadron with the platform it needs to perform testing,” said Lt. Cmdr. Rodney Moss, an aircraft handler aboard the Truman. “We will be supporting its test equipment on board, as well as aiding them in launch and recovery efforts.”
Suitability testing for the E-2D is scheduled to continue through Monday. During that time, VX-20 will monitor the aircraft’s performance and determine if it is effective in the operational shipboard environment.
“We will make our determinations based on any discrepancies with the airframe or whether we see any gaps in the anticipated capability,” said Cmdr. Mike Santomauro, flight test director. “We have about 200 test points we are trying to accomplish.”
Santomauro said testing is going well and that through developmental tests the team is moving toward determining if the aircraft is suitable for use.
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will not provide a significant change in the mission of early warning and control; however it will enable the aircraft to perform its mission with greater improvements.
The new aircraft will be able to scan a larger area, detect smaller objects and process information quickly than its predecessor, the E-2C. The aircrews will be able to accomplish these tasks through improved all-glass cockpits and tactical operator stations.
“This new platform features state-of-the-art radar with a two-generation leap in capability and upgraded aircraft systems,” said Capt Shane Gahagan, Hawkeye, Advanced Hawkeye and Greyhound Program Office (PMA-231) here. “The E-2D continues the Navy’s integrated war fighting legacy by providing broad area coverage resulting in increased range capabilities. With the E-2D’s enhanced ability to work in the littoral areas and over land, the platform provides a critical capability to protect our nation’s interests.”
-ends-
An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye lands on the USS Harry S. Truman to begin its Carrier Suitability Testing. (Northrop photo)
I hope the Chicoms don’t get their hands on it.
ping
Those props still give me the creeps. I saw a young green shirt turn the wrong way and walk right through one of those spinning props. I, being flight deck ordnance was asked to use my bomb elevator to lower what was left of him down below decks. The memory of that night still haunts me.
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I recently discovered and read a series of three adventure novels of the Vietnam era by Gerry Carroll, who died in 1993. They are North SAR, Ghostrider One, and No Place to Hide. Pretty thorough coverage of carrier operations and associated personalities during that period, including the part played by E2s in strike control and rescue operations. The books seemed realistic to me, from what little I know from reading nonfiction. Too bad we won’t see any more from Commander Carroll.
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