8
Issue 1
In this issue:
Eyes of the
Fleet for
50 Years:
PMA-231
Celebrates
the Year of
the
Hawkeye
Story by: Elizabeth Fahrner
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PMA-231
Awards E-2D
Advanced
Hawkeye
Multiyear
Procurement
Contract
Story by: Elizabeth Fahrner
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Propelled to Power:
Navy completes new propeller
installation on Greyhound
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Conor Minto/Released)
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Above: PMA-231, Northrop Grumman and fleet representatives, including (front, left to right) Sandi Glenn; Jim Robbins, former
NP2000 IPT lead logistician; Capt. Todd Watkins, former commodore; Cmdr. Mike Bratley, commanding officer of VRC-40; Capt.
John Lemmon, program manager; Ed Faillace, former NP2000 IPT lead; Bill Cover; (back, left to right), AD3 Hedgepeth; AD1
Tripple; AD2 Murray; AT3 Rombach; AZ1 Carrion; AMC Joyner; PR2 Evans and Lee Wetzel stand in front of the last C-2 installed
with the NP2000. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ernest R. Scott
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Vantage Point
Aerial refueling (AR) on the E-2D aircraft
demands precision and E-2 pilots have
plenty of practice. E-2 pilots from the
E-2D ITT have conducted numerous AR
limited-scope, risk-reduction test flights
on an E-2C equipped with a dry probe.
The probe doesnt transfer fuel, but has
served as a valuable tool to assess the
various technical challenges associated
with integrating an AR system on the
E-2 aircraft. These pilots have learned
much about the anticipated benefits and
changes
of this
new
Aerial
refueling
(AR)
on capability
the E-2D during
aircraft
these test
flights. But E-2 pilots from the
demands
precision.
E-2D ITT have conducted numerous AR
AR requiresrisk-reduction
pilots to fly test
in very
limited-scope,
flightsclose
on an
formation
andwith
thena purposely
hitThe
another
E-2C
equipped
dry probe.
probe
doesnt
fuel,which
but has
served
object transfer
in the sky,
most
pilots as
try a
valuable
tool tocareers
assess to
theavoid!
various said
technical
their whole
Lt.
challenges
associatedAR
with Project
integrating
an AR
Nathan Atkinson,
Officer.
system
on the
E-2 aircraft.
Thesetopilots
have
The E-2
is inherently
difficult
fly, and
learned
much
about
the
anticipated
benefits
this task highlights those flying qualities.
and
changes
of this new
during
Intense
concentration
andcapability
a steady hand
these
test
flights.
are required to accomplish AR.
AR requires pilots to fly in very close formation
So how will E-2 pilots refuel their aircraft
and then purposely hit another object in the
in flight when this capability is fielded?
sky, which most pilots try their whole careers
will said
fly theLt.aircraft
within
30 to 40
toPilots
avoid!
Nathan
Atkinson,
AR
feet
of
the
tanker,
or
the
aircraft
providing
Project Officer. The E-2 is inherently difficult
and task
slow highlights
down to match
the
tothe
fly, fuel,
and this
those flying
tankers
speed.
The
tanker
trails
a
hose
qualities. Intense concentration and a steady
withare
a basket
attached
to the end,
hand
required
to accomplish
AR.called
a drogue. Next, the pilot will maneuver
plane
to direct
a probe
Sothe
how
will E-2
pilots refuel
theirmounted
aircraft in
above
thethis
cockpit
into aiscoupler
the
flight
when
capability
fielded?in Pilots
middle
the drogue,
is about
will
fly theofaircraft
within which
30 to 40
feet ofsix
the
tanker,
or
the
aircraft
providing
the
fuel,
and
(Cont.
on
page
6)
inches around.
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Above: Left to right, Lt. Nathan Atkinson, Tom Boutin, Lt. J.P. Debbink, and Lt. Mike Luebkert are members of the
E-2D Integrated Test Team who are currently performing aerial refueling testing. The E-2D ITT includes aircrew
from the Navy, Northrop Grumman Corporation and Wyle. Photo by Elizabeth Fahrner
page
Mike Reardon
E-2/C-2 Airframes/Propeller Manager
and E-2C Configuration Manager,
CNAF
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Holly Shoger
Scott Wiener
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10
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11
Mobile. Ready.
12 Forward.
E-2 community engages audiences
page
MA-231,
Airborne
Command
Control and Logistics Wing, and
Northrop Grumman presented a
unified front at E-2D Industry Day March
25 and Sea-Air-Space Exposition April 7.
Both events allowed audiences to learn
more about the latest variant of the E-2
and how these three entities are working
together to field this new aircraft.
At Industry Day, Capt. John Lemmon,
PMA-231 program manager, and Capt.
Todd Watkins, former commodore for
Above: Left to right, Cmdr. James JJ Elias, John Capacchione (industry partner), Capt. Watkins and
Capt. Lemmon attend Industry Day. Elias, Watkins and Lemmon (above right) were speakers at the event.
Photos courtesy of NGC
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13
RECENT ACTIVITY
Check out these pictures from U.S. Navy E-2 and C-2 squadrons stationed around
the globe. Visit http://www.navy.mil/viewGallery.asp to view more photos from
the fleet.
Left: Two VAW-120 and
one VAW-123 E-2C
Hawkeye aicraft cruise
past the First Flight
Memorial at Kitty Hawk,
North Carolina. (Photo
by Ted Carlson)
301-757-7235
THIS NEWSLETTER IS PUBLISHED BI-ANNUALY BY NAVAIR PMA-231. Its content is not necessarily the official view of or endorsed by
the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Navy. Questions regarding this publication, its distribution, or
how to obtain back issues may be made by contacting the program directly. All members of the E-2/C-2 team, including fleet units and field
activities, are encouraged to submit articles electronically or by mail (E-2/C-2 Program Office, 47123 Buse Road, Patuxent River, MD 20670).
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