US Navy's most advanced command and control aircraft joins fleet in Norfolk

Digital quarterback of Air warfare

Credit: Jason Walsh

NORFOLK -- The Navy's newest advanced Hawkeye, an early warning command and control platform, officially joins the fleet.

Airborne Early Warning Squadron One Twenty Five, the "Tigertails," is the first squadron to become fully operational with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. Built by Northrop Grumman, the company calls the aircraft a "digital quarterback" to conduct sophisticated, concurrent battle management command and control for the Navy.

Missions can include airborne strike, ground force support, rescue operations and managing a reliable communications network capable of supporting drug interdiction operations. The use of its new glass cockpit and tactical fourth operator display provides the five-person crew unparalleled flexibility in successfully accomplishing these diverse missions, the Navy said.