E-2D begins Carrier Suitability Testing aboard CVN 75

ASDNews ^ | 2/2/2011 | ASDNews

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

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."

[Jacquerie]

Many lives would have been saved had the Brits had AEW capability during the Falklands War.

Not sexy, just indispensable.

[rlmorel]

They used to do flybys for entertainment purposes when we were at sea, once they did a particularly good one, launched em like an Alpha strike, had Intruders with MK82s to drop, Tomcats doing supersonic flybys, A7’s doing strafing runs and so on.

After all these planes go through their paces, and the show looks like it is over, the Airboss comes over the 1MC and says “Hold on...we aren’t done yet! Hawkeye inbound astern!”

We look up and aft, and there is this E2, in about a 45 degree dive, military power with twin plumes of black smoke coming out of those T-56’s, the radome actually looked like it was shaking and the empennage is flexing side to side!

The thing levels out about 25 yards off the port side at flight deck level and roars by...everyone was jumping and screaming...:)

It might not be the fastest, not the sexiest, but everyone gave it style points on that day!!!!!

[A.A. Cunningham]

110202-N-5685W-224 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Feb. 2, 2011) An E-2D Hawkeye assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20 completes a "touch-and-go" exercise aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The "D" model is aboard Harry S. Truman for carrier suitability testing before delivery to the fleet. Harry S. Truman is supporting fleet replacement squadron carrier qualifications. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Donald R. White Jr./Released)

110201-N-5685W-066 ATLANTIC OCEAN, (Feb. 2, 2011) An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20 makes its first carrier takeoff aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The "D" model is aboard Harry S. Truman for carrier suitability testing before delivery to the fleet. Harry S. Truman is supporting fleet replacement squadron carrier qualifications. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Donald White Jr./Released)

110201-N-3904I-004 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Feb. 1, 2011) An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20 makes its first takeoff from an aircraft carrier. The "D" model is aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) for carrier suitability testing before delivery to the fleet. Harry S. Truman is supporting fleet replacement squadron carrier qualifications. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Dusan Ilic/Released)

110202-N-6427M-067 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Feb. 2, 2011) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Anton Limantara, from San Francisco, charges an accumulator on an arresting gear engine while standing watch as an arresting gear engine operator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman is conducting operations underway in support of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye suitability testing. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan McLearnon/Released)