The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is the Navy’s all-weather, carrier-based tactical battle management airborne early warning, command and control aircraft. The E-2 is a twin engine, five crewmember, high-wing turboprop aircraft with a 24-foot diameter radar rotodome attached to the upper fuselage. Designed in the 1950s, the E-2 first flew in 1960 before entering service in 1964. The E-2 has been in production, in one variant or another, continuously since 1960 – giving the E-2 the longest production run of any carrier-based aircraft ever.
The E-2, which uses twin turbo-prop engines, also has earned the nickname “Hummer”, due to the distinct humming sound the prop engines make – which is easily discernible from the roar of a carrier’s jet engine fleet. In addition, the sequel of new movie “Top Gun: Maverick”, featuring E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, even for a brief moment, makes a strong impression.
