"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-112 "Golden Hawks", then embarked upon the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) during 1998. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: September 2015

Historical Account: "Golden Hawks" - Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 112 (VAW-112) is a United States Navy squadron nicknamed the "Golden Hawks". VAW-112 flies the E-2 Hawkeye out of NAS Point Mugu, and deploys as part of Carrier Air Wing 9 on board the USS John C. Stennis.

In February and March 1990, VAW-112 deployed aboard USS Constellation for an "Around the Horn" of South America to Norfolk, Virginia cruise. Then in September 1990, the squadron deployed to Howard Air Force Base, for a Joint Task Force 4 counter narcotics operation. The squadron finished the year and entered 1991 with the CVW-9 workup schedule on board the USS Nimitz.

In March 1991, the squadron departed for the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Northern Persian Gulf cruise in support of Operation Desert Storm aboard the USS Nimitz. In December 1991, VAW-112 deployed again to Howard Air Force Base, Panama for another Joint Task Force Four counter narcotics operation. The squadron participated in joint and combined exercises in 1992 including Roving Sands in May 1992.

In February 1993, VAW-112 deployed aboard USS Nimitz to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, flying more than 1,000 hours. Upon returning, VAW-112 transitioned to the E-2C Plus Group II. In November 1993, VAW-112 deployed to NS Guantanamo Bay The year of 1994 was a year of numerous detachments for VAW-112, due to the Nimitz dry dock period. These included Red Air and Red Flag exercises during February; JADO/JEZ trials in March; Roving Sands and Maple Flag in Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada in June; and another Joint Task Force Four counter narcotics operation detachment in August. Following a rigorous work-up cycle in 1995, the squadron departed San Diego for the Persian Gulf aboard the USS Nimitz in December.

After remaining on station for three months, VAW-112 departed the Persian Gulf to support United States foreign policy off the coast of Taiwan. After returning home in May, the squadron then headed for Puerto Rico in mid July for counter narcotics operations at NS Roosevelt Roads.

During a 1997 work-up cycle for an "Around the World" deployment in late July, the squadron participated in a Pacific Fleet Surge Exercise. The squadron provided battle space command and control to the battle group for more than 96 continuous hours. It was during this time that VAW-112 also surpassed a safety milestone - 27 years and more than 57,000 mishaps-free flight hours. They departed San Diego in September 1997 on another "Around the World" deployment. In 1997, the Golden Hawks were presented the Battle "E", the CNO Safety "S" Award, and the coveted Airborne Early Warning Excellence Award. The Golden Hawks deployed in July 1998 for a short detachment to Hawaii aboard the USS Kitty Hawk and later transferred the newest E-2C Plus Group II Navigation Upgrade aircraft to VAW-115 home bases at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan.

The Golden Hawks moved from NAS Miramar to NAS Point Mugu in July 1998.