"Obsolete weapons do not deter."
- British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher

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 specifically for its role, as opposed to a modification of an existing airframe, such as the Boeing E-3 Sentry. Variants of the Hawkeye have been in continuous production since 1960, giving it the longest production run of any carrier-based aircraft.

The E-2 also received the nickname "Super Fudd" because it replaced the E-1 Tracer "Willy Fudd". In recent decades, the E-2 has been commonly referred to as the "Hummer" because of the distinctive sounds of its turboprop engines, quite unlike that of turbojet and turbofan jet engines. In addition to U.S. Navy service, smaller numbers of E-2s have been sold to the armed forces of Egypt, France, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and Taiwan.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a USN Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye AEW Aircraft that was attached to VAW-117 "Wallbangers," then embarked upon the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during February 2008. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 13-1/2-inches
Length: 9-3/4-inches

Release Date: July 2016

Historical Account: "The Wallbangers" - Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117 ( VAW-117) is a United States Navy (USN) airborne early warning (AEW) squadron. Nicknamed "The Wallbangers" (formerly "The Nighthawks"), it flies the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye, the USN's only carrier-based command and control platform. The squadron is based out of NAS Point Mugu and deploys as part of Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) on board the USS Harry S. Truman.

In July 2001, VAW-117 was the first squadron to deploy with the new MCU/ACIS system. WESTPAC 2001-02 on board the USS Carl Vinson proved to be an active deployment. After the September 11th attacks in 2001, aircraft from VAW-117 and CVW-11 were among the first aircraft to lead the strikes on Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The squadron flew an unprecedented number of combat sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The extensive radar and communication equipment on board the E-2C Hawkeye allowed the squadron to become a vital part of the anti-terrorist operations. It continuously provided battle space management over Pakistan and southern Afghanistan, ensuring the safety of all airborne assets and clearance from commercial air routes. The squadron's Hawkeyes served as an information-clearing house, providing a communications relay between command authorities on the ground and tactical aircraft airborne.

VAW-117 was the first fleet squadron to receive the HE-2K variant of the Hawkeye. In addition, it was also the first fleet Hawkeye squadron to receive the Cooperative Engagement Capability system (CEC).

In May 2005, VAW-117 deployed on USS Nimitz with CVW-11 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This was VAW-117's first deployment with the HE2K variant. During the deployment, VAW-117 flew into Karachi, Pakistan, and Goa, India, to display the E-2C to partner nations. The Nimitz while on deployment visited Hong Kong; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Guam; Manama, Bahrain; Dubai, UAE; Perth, Australia; and Pearl Harbor, HI, twice.

In April 2007, VAW-117 deployed on WESTPAC 2007. The squadron flew 101 sorties and 227 hours in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. It also took part in several exercises including Valiant Shield and Malabar.

In January 2008, the squadron deployed on a four-month surge to the Western Pacific, where it took part in Exercise Foal Eagle 08. During the course of the cruise VAW-117 demonstrated its aviation skills, earning the CVW-11 Top Hook Award for the first time in nearly eight years.