As part of a series of test flights ahead of its entry into service with the French Navy, a U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye was refueled in flight by a French Rafale fighter, marking a milestone as the first time such an operation has taken place. According to official reports, this was one of three refueling flights aimed at demonstrating the aircraft’s ability to operate jointly with other platforms already in service with the European country, including MRTT and A400M tanker aircraft.
Delving into the details, it was stated that the activity was carried out by the E-2/C-2 Airborne Command and Control Systems Program Office (PMA-231) together with a French delegation composed of personnel from the French Navy and the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA). These two institutions will conduct a new series of tests and training flights in the near future, paving the way for the replacement of their aging E-2C Hawkeyes starting in 2028; this phase will take place on French territory.
It is worth recalling that with the purchase of the new E-2D aircraft, France became the second international customer of the U.S.-built platform. Specifically, Paris acquired a fleet of three aircraft in 2020 from the U.S. Navy, requesting minor modifications to adapt them to the requirements of the French Navy. The goal behind this acquisition is to provide the Charles de Gaulle carrier air wing with a renewed airborne early warning capability, replacing its E-2C fleet that has been in service for more than a quarter of a century. In budgetary terms, the operation represents a $2 billion investment for France.
From a technical standpoint, the very capability to be refueled in flight is one of the main advantages of the new aircraft acquired by France. In addition, it integrates an advanced APY-9 radar system, designed to detect and track enemy threats such as aircraft and missiles, with the ability to operate over both oceanic and land environments. The aircraft also incorporates improvements in communications, identification friend-or-foe (IFF) systems, and upgraded mission computers. Taken together, the U.S. Navy describes the platform as a two-generation leap over its predecessor.
Cover image: NAVAIR
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