Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>E-2C Hawkeye>HA4810
Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye 161343, VAW-122 "Steel Jaws" USS Forrestal 1991
General Background
The Northrop E-2 Hawkeye is an all-weather airborne early warning aircraft (AEW). The E-2 was
a twin-turboprop developed in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s for the USN. The E-2 is a carrier-
capable aircraft and has received major upgrades in their electronics for the E-2B and E-2C with
the E-2C also receiving improved turbo-prop engines. The E-2 has been in production since the
1960’s making it the longest production run of any carrier based aircraft. The E-2C variant
became operational in 1973.
The Aircraft
VAW-122 was established April 1, 1967 and named the Hummer Gators. The Squadron spent the
next nine months aboard the USS America (CV-66) and became the first East Coast E-2
Squadron and later were assigned the call-sign Steeljaws. The squadron traveled the world north
to south and east to west providing support for Middle East operations and drug interdiction
elsewhere. On July 8, 1991 on board the USS Forrestal E-2C 161343 AE-601 was lost to an
onboard fire immediately after a catapult shot. All five crew members safely bailed out.
Specifications :
Number of E-2C delivered: | USN/180, USN Reserve for drug interdiction/6, others countries/30 |
Crew: | 5 / 1 Pilot, 1 Co-Pilot, 1 Radar Officer (RO), 1 Combat Information Center Officer (CICO), 1 Aircraft Control Officer (ACO) |
Dimensions | |
Length: | 57 ft 8.75 in (17.60 m) |
Wingspan: | 80 ft 7 in (24.56 m) |
Height: | 18 ft 3.75 in (5.58 m) |
Wing Area: | 201.1 ft². (18.68 m²) |
Performance | |
Engines: | 2 x Allison / Rolls Royce T56-A-427 5,100 shp (3,800 kW) each |
Maximum Speed: | 350 knots (648 km/h) |
Cruise: | 256 knots (474 km/h |
Ferry Range: | 1,462 nmi (2,708 km) |
Service Ceiling: | 34,700 ft (10,576 m) |
Endurance: | 6 hrs |
Weights | |
Empty: | 40,200 lb (18,090 kg) |
Loaded: | 43,068 lb (19,536 kg) |
Maximum Take-Off: | 57,500 lb (26,083 kg) |
Avionics: | AN/APS-145 Radar |
OL-483/AP IFF interrogator system | |
APX-100 IFF Transponder | |
OL-698/ASQ Tactical Computer Group | |
AN/ARC-182 UHF/VHF radio | |
AN/ARC-158 UHF radio | |
AN/ARQ-34 HF radio | |
AN/USC-42 Mini-DAMA SATCOM system |