HECTR brings E-2D cockpit tech refresh

[spazsinbad]

More yadayada acronym word wise than one can stick a poke at but some interesting deck landing details never the less....

HECTR brings E-2D cockpit tech refresh
14 Sep 2020 NavAirSysCom

"NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md.--The E-2/C-2 Airborne Command & Control Systems Program Office (PMA-231) awarded a $34 million contract to Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems (NGAS) on Aug. 3 for the requirements phase of the engineering, manufacturing and development of the E-2D Hawkeye Cockpit Technical Refresh (HECTR).

The HECTR is a critical redesign of hardware and software components of the current E-2D Integration Navigation, Controls and Displays System (INCDS) as well as an integration of the cockpit solution into the weapon system. HECTR will use an E-2D Mission Computer Alternative, currently under development at PMA-209, as part of its design. The cockpit redesign will allow the platform to achieve Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management Required Navigation Performance Area Navigation capability.

“The fleet is very excited to be a part of the development of HECTR. This program demonstrates outstanding teamwork between the program office, industry and our fleet operators,” said Capt. Michael France, Commodore, Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Wing. “For decades, we have improved the weapon system of the Advanced Hawkeye, but the cockpit has remained largely unchanged. HECTR solves some of our obsolescence issues and brings new navigation and communication capability. With the AR variant of the E-2D as our new baseline, HECTR makes it safer for our crews who must land on the aircraft carrier after many hours of being on station “HECTR is an essential upgrade that brings the E-2D Hawkeye Cockpit into the 21st Century.”...

...With the addition of the Aerial Refueling (AR) capability, the aircrew will experience greater workload and fatigue. The HECTR program goals will substantially change the pilot and co-pilot experience in the cockpit....

...The E-2 is the last fixed-wing carrier based aircraft that lands on the aircraft carrier without a Heads-Up Display (HUD). Landing can be a difficult task for pilots due to nearly imperceptible wing dips that occur as a result of the lack of a readily available horizon reference and the slow “inside-outside” scan pattern required by the legacy cockpit design.

HECTR will integrate a HUD capability to reduce the E-2D pilot workload as well as improve situational awareness and correct current INCDS Human Machine Interface (HMI) deficiencies. The HUD will increase safety and decrease pilot workload for generations of Hawkeye pilots by providing horizon reference and increased visual scan speed for carrier landings, which will be especially beneficial at night and during adverse weather conditions...."

Photo: "An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, attached to the “Greyhawks” of Airbourne [is this the JASON BOURNE spelling effect? It is really airborne - someone needs to HECTOR this misspella ] Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 120, approaches USS Gerald R. Ford's (CVN 78) flight deck during flight operations Aug. 04, 2020. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting carrier qualifications. The E-2/C-2 Airborne Command & Control Systems Program Office (PMA-231) recently awarded a contract for the requirements phase of the engineering, manufacturing and development of the E-2D Hawkeye Cockpit Technical Refresh. U.S. Navy photo" https://www.navair.navy.mil/sites/g/fil ... 296538.jpg

Source: https://www.navair.navy.mil/news/HECTR- ... 42020-1207

[spazsinbad]

Eyes of the Fleet US Navy E-2 Hawkeye [8 page PDF article attached]
Oct 2020 Tom Kaminski

"The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye series has served the US Navy as an all-weather, tactical airborne early warning and control system (AEW&CS) for more than 55 years. As Tom Kaminski reports, recent upgrades will keep it in service for decades to come...."

Source: Aviation News Magazine Oct 2020