E-2D on carrier suitability trials
Posted on 02/07/2011 7:33:21 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Northrop Grumman in race for Navy aircraft order
Mahesh Kulkarni / Bangalore February 08, 2011, 0:50 IST
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC), the US-based $34.9-billion global security systems and technology provider, is pitching for the Indian Navy’s order for surveillance aircraft and high altitude long-range unmanned aerial vehicles.
“The Indian Navy had invited a request for information (RFI) in the middle of last year and we submitted our RFIs to them. We have submitted quotes for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, airborne early warning and control aircraft. We are now waiting for the RFPs to be issued by the Indian Navy,” Northrop Grumman India managing Director, Gyanendra Sharma, said.
Talking to Business Standard, Sharma said that Northrop Grumman has been trying to secure the ministry of defence’s orders for its products and technologies over the last four years. When the Navy came out with an RFI for surveillance aircraft last year, Northrop Grumman was one of the contenders, he said.
The Navy intends to procure four surveillance aircraft. If Northrop Grumman wins the Navy order, India will be the second country in the world to fly the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. Currently, only the US Navy uses one such aircraft, which completed its landing aboard the USS Truman (aircraft carrier) and began carrier suitability tests on February 3, 2011.
The Indian Navy is planning to acquire 6-8 medium-range airborne early warning surveillance aircraft and high altitude long-range UAVs. The ministry of defence had floated RFIs for the surveillance aircraft and UAVs. While specifications for the medium-range surveillance aircraft require an operating range of over 350 nautical miles, the requirements for the UAV include a service ceiling above 40,000 feet and endurance of over 25 hours.
The Navy’s requirements for surveillance aircraft assumed importance in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, in which Pakistan-based terrorists used the sea route to reach Indian soil.
Tom C Trudell, manager, international business development, NGC, said “We have an order from the US Navy for supplying 75 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft over a period of 12 years. So far, we have delivered five aircraft, of which one has been commissioned and other four are under tests.” He also added that apart from India, Northrop Grumman also plans to supply E-2D aircraft to the United Arab Emirates.
The aircraft is capable of scanning a large area, detecting smaller objects and processing information quickly. The aircraft crew will be able to carry out these tasks through improved all-glass cockpits and tactical operator stations. The aircraft has a surveillance range of 300 nautical miles and can detect ships at a distance of 200 miles. However, E-2D would need to have a catapult-equipped aircraft carrier. Currently, the Indian Navy does not have such an aircraft carrier, Trudell noted.
E-2D on carrier suitability trials
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“However, E-2D would need to have a catapult-equipped aircraft carrier.”
??????????????
Before I retired, we routinely flew E-2s FRom land bases. As far as I know, the USN still does.
I wonder what his point was?
Furthermore, in the Grumman brochure for the E-2D that I read, provision for additional fuel and air-to-air refueling can be incorporated.
HST, if the D is as uncomfortable as the B was, flights in excess of 6-7 hours are stretching the limits of crew endurance.
Land-based aircraft won’t be as useful for a carrier battle group as an organic system. Might as well rely on air force assets.
Taking off with a low fuel load is not going to be cost-effective. Which is why catapults are essential.
Good choice for India.
The comment in the article about carriers was made by an American, not by someone at the Indian MoD. It isn't at all clear from context that the Indians want a shipboard recon capability.
As you say, it sounds like they want AWACS of some sort. The recently cancelled Nimrod, or P-8's, would be better, it sounds like, for what the Indians want to do. Range, endurance, altitude, and big radars.
In something slightly less capable but still capable, Lockheed was developing a C-130-based AWACS as well.
While there is some ambiguity over what the Indian Navy wants, the Hawkeye would only make sense if a carrier role is considered. The Indian airforce has two ongoing AEW programmes-one involving the Israeli PHALCON system, which has been inducted and the other a domestic programme, which is in development. I don’t think any government would be convinced to buy a 3rd system in relatively low volumes despite the E-2D’s formidable qualities.
And there have been statements that the follow-on ship to under construction INS Vikrant would weight about 60,000+ tonnes and use steam or electromagnetic catapults.
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