US Navy Procures New Routers for Advanced Hawkeye Early Warning Aircraft

The US Navy has awarded California-based Fuse Integration a contract to produce router systems for the service’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye tactical airborne early warning and control aircraft.

The $16-million deal orders the company’s proprietary CORE 4.0 devices, which will upgrade the E-2D’s external networking systems into software-based connectivity.

The equipment will employ a tactical edge network targeting a contested long-range environment or TENTaCLE architecture to bolster the aircraft’s network resiliency, according to the navy.

“As an advanced, small-Size, Weight, and Power – Cooling router, CORE 4.0 improves reliability and maintainability for the platform by replacing bulky and obsolete routers while simultaneously hosting applications that enhance E-2D mission capabilities,” US Navy E-2D Systems Engineering Assistant Program Manager Shawn Thompson explained.

Integration of a new virtualized network into the platform aligns with the navy’s fifth iteration of the continuous Delta System Software Configuration effort to sustain the platform’s operability for modern warfare.

“CORE 4.0 will help the E-2D quickly adapt to evolving network architectures as well as provide a means for rapid deployment of new tactical applications,” Thompson added.

“CORE 4.0 enables an additional layer of cyber-security for the platform by hosting new firewall applications as part of the Beyond Line-of-Sight upgrade program for the E-2D.”

Developed by Northrop Grumman, the US Navy’s E-2D has a length of 57.8 feet (17.6 meters) and a wingspan of 80.7 feet (24.5 meters).

It is operated by two pilots and up to four mission systems personnel, and is powered by twin 5,100-horsepower Rolls-Royce turboprop engines.

The platform can reach altitudes up to 37,000 feet (11,278 meters) and speeds over 300 knots (555.6 kilometers/345 miles per hour).