The US Navy announced that it will deploy its leading-edge early-warning surveillance aircraft E2D to Japan in February. The Hawkeye will deploy from the USS Ronald Reagan, the aircraft carrier assigned to the Asia-based Seventh Fleet. The Hawkeye can detect cruise-missile and ballistic-missile launches from long range, potentially allowing for the missile to be redirected or shot down. The aircraft, can detect stealth aircraft like the Chinese Chengdu J-20 and the Russian Sukhoi T-50 as well as coordinate other ships and aircraft during combat. In a combat scenario, a Hawkeye can “act as a networked battle management platform, guiding other aircraft and ships to fire on incoming threats.”
The US Department of State has approved sale to Japan of four Northrop Grumman E-2D. The Japan’s nation-specific configuration, which includes a “wet wing” that will increase the endurance of the land-based aircraft from some 5h to 8h. This move could enhance protection of US and Japanese carriers from Stealth planes and cruise missiles of China. It would also strengthen the US-Japan Alliance to keep eye on Chinese activities in the region such as building of artificial islands in the South China Sea.
Meanwhile, the current E-2C models are playing an essential role in the Middle East, launching from the USS George Bush to serve as flying command posts and air traffic control for the ongoing strikes against the self-proclaimed Islamic State.
China has launched new model of Y-7J (03) carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. According to Military-informant.com. report, the prototype of the new aircraft was established on the model aircraft carrier in Wuhan Province. The model aircraft carrier is estimated at being 300 meters (984 feet) long and 80 meters (262 feet) wide. The model is complete with a helicopter landing pad and a model of a carrier-borne aircraft
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