via Press Release.
BETHPAGE, N.Y. – July 18, 2013 – Following the decision earlier this year to proceed with full-rate production, the Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a $113.7 million advance acquisition contract for long lead materials and related support for five full-rate production Lot 2 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft.Hmm.
"This contract award, along with OSD's full rate production decision, is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the entire E-2D team to deliver on its promise of a mature, capable and effective E-2D Advanced Hawkeye," said Bart LaGrone, vice president, E-2/C-2 programs, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "In today's challenging defense budget environment, it is imperative that we remain focused on providing the U.S. Navy with a more affordable airborne early warning, command and control solution."
With the Navy's E-2D program of record at 75 aircraft, this contract award is another step forward in bringing the total current procurement of E-2D aircraft, including low-rate initial production and full-rate production aircraft, to 30.
Last month, Northrop Grumman delivered the 10th E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to the U.S. Navy, having delivered the first nine aircraft on or ahead of schedule. There are currently an additional 10 aircraft in various stages of manufacturing and predelivery flight testing at the company's Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence in St. Augustine, Fla. Initial operational capability with the U.S. Navy remains on track for 2015.
Everyone in the military blogging community is acting as if its a done deal that the MV-22 will be the next onboard carrier delivery vehicle for the Navy.
I'm not so sure.
It all goes back to that economy of scale. The MV-22 program is humming along, but the Navy embarked on a "aviation neck down" campaign right along with the Marines. Adding the MV-22 to their inventory would blow that plan up AND they lose savings gained with having economies of scale by buying the E-2E (my designation) as the next COD.
My bet? The Marine Corps better look to foreign orders to push down the cost curve or maybe they should do what they should have done a long time ago. Gotten SOCOM to buy additional airframes for the 160th!
Personally, I think its a bit too early to say the Osprey is a slam-dunk for the COD replacement. Osprey does offer an interesting capability. I'm inclined to believe it will all boil down to maintenance commonality, which would nix the Osprey. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteI think you are confusing the E-2 Hawkeye ( Air warning and control aircraft) with the C-2 (COD and fleet replenishment aircraft) The article only mentions C-2s when they are talking about Bart LaGrone "vice president, E-2/C-2 programs, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems"
ReplyDeletei'm confusing nothing. i misstated the planes designation but the intent was clear.
DeleteIn terms of commonality, Northrop Grumman has stated their intention to use components from the E-2D on an upgraded C-2.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_04_18_2013_p0-570925.xml
Why can't they just take the Concept of the E-2 and put it on the V-22 and use the SAAB erieye system. Even convert the V-22 for COD
ReplyDeleteThe C-2A's are currently supposed to remain in service till 2027 as they just went through a SLEP. We don't need a new COD yet. The C-2 and MV-22 weigh almost the same. The C-2 flies further, faster, carries more personnel, and I could be wrong but I don't believe a jet engine in the shipping container fits on an MV-22? The parts and trained crew already exist aboard the carrier to service the E-2/C-2 so changing to the MV-22 has additional costs beyond the more expensive aircraft. The MV-22 offers some very useful capability but I've never thought it will replace the C-2.
ReplyDeleteCould you take a C-2, add some fuel tanks to the cargo bay, and a hose/drogue to a modified rear door to make yourself a KC-2? It would give the carriers a dedicated tanker.
ReplyDeletei have no idea. Elements of Power would know but my thinking is that if you can do it to a V=22 then surely a C-2 would be doable. the problem is getting it certified and determining whether you want a dedicated tanker or a transformer.
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