Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye
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| Early E-2A takeoff |
WHAT: The E-2/C-2 Airborne Tactical Data Systems Program Office (PMA-231) has named 2014 as the Year of the Hawkeye. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the newest variant of the E-2 aircraft platform. It features a state-of-the-art radar with a two-generation leap in capability and upgraded aircraft systems that will improve fleet supportability and increase readiness. The E-2D is on schedule to reach initial operational capability later this year.
WHEN: Jan. 19 kicks off a year-long series of events focusing feature podcasts, videos, photos, and articles about the E-2 Hawkeye that will be posted online at www.navair.navy.mil/hawkeye.
WHO: PMA-231 Program Manager Capt. John Lemmon will be available for interviews about the aircraft's mission and how it continues to serve the fleet. Lemmon will join a list of key naval aviators sharing the legacy and accomplishments of the aircraft during the year.
WHERE: Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
HOW: Media interested in receiving alerts about Year of the Hawkeye events should contact Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft (PEO(T)) Public Affairs Officer Marcia Hart, at 301-757-7178 or marcia.hart-wise@navy.mil.
E-2 Hawkeye
The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the earlier E-1 Tracer, which was rapidly becoming obsolete. The aircraft's performance has been upgraded with the E-2B, and E-2C versions, where most of the changes were made to the radar and radio communications due to advances in electronic integrated circuits and other electronics. The fourth version of the Hawkeye is the E-2D, which first flew in 2007. The E-2 was the first aircraft designed to be an AEW aircraft from the outset, as opposed to a modification of an existing airframe, such as the E-3. Variants of the Hawkeye have been in continuous production since 1960, giving it the longest production run of any carrier based aircraft. The first prototype, acting as an aerodynamic testbed only, flew on 21 October 1960, with the first fully equipped aircraft following on 19 April 1961, enterring service with the US Navy as the E-2A in January 1964.[5]
Beechcraft King Air
The Beechcraft King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by Beechcraft. The King Air line comprises a number of models that have been divided into two families; the Model 90 and 100 series are known as King Airs, while the Model 200 and 300 series were originally marketed as Super King Airs, with "Super" being dropped by Beechcraft in 1996 (although it is still often used to differentiate the 200 and 300 series King Airs from their smaller stablemates).The King Air was the first aircraft in its class and has been in continuous production since 1964. It has outsold all of its turboprop competitors combined.
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| Maiden flight of King Air Model 90 prototype |
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| 50th anniversary flyby |
-- Celebration launches year-long commemoration of the King Air
WICHITA, Kan. -- (Jan. 20, 2014) -- Beechcraft Corporation today recognized the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the King Air Model 90 with several three-ship passes of the company's current production King Air models over its home airfield, Beech Field, in Wichita, Kan., as employees and guests watched.
The King Air is the best-selling business aircraft family in the world with nearly 7,200 King Airs delivered and a worldwide fleet having surpassed 60 million flight hours.
"The significance of that first flight 50 years ago cannot be overstated, nor can the work of Beechcrafters over the past five decades to turn that one model into the legendary King Air brand," said Bill Boisture, CEO of Beechcraft. "The King Air captures more than 50 percent of the worldwide business turboprop market each year because we've continued to innovate and build upon its foundation with the latest advancements in technology, durability, utility, and comfort. Today's celebration launches a year-long commemoration of the King Air legacy that began in earnest with the first flight of that first prototype."
Company pilots flew the first official flight of the conforming prototype of the King Air Model 90 on Jan. 20, 1964. Thousands of spectators -- including employees, Wichita residents, and local and state dignitaries -- watched as the aircraft took off from Beech Field to begin an FAA-approved accelerated flight test program. With five aircraft in the test program, the King Air received type certification from the FAA four months later, on May 27. First customer deliveries began in July.
Today's three ship 50th Anniversary flight included the King Air C90GTx, based on the original Model 90 design, as well as the King Air 250 and the flagship King Air 350i. Compared to the original Model 90, today's King Air C90GTx cruises 60 knots faster, lifts 1,485 pounds more payload, and navigates with the latest satellite and datalink technology -- all while preserving the legendary smooth flying characteristics that King Airs are known for.
King Airs, which operate in all branches of the U.S. military, serve a variety of missions ranging from traditional transport of personnel and high-value cargo, to electronic and imagery surveillance, air ambulance, airway calibration, photographic mapping, training, and weather modification.
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