The E2-C Hawkeye 2000 will soon become the first U.S. military aircraft to be equipped with the new Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) system.

The system, already operational in some of the U.S. Navy’s surface ships, will play a key role in integrating and networking the information systems of military forces, a concept referred to as Network Centric Warfare (NCW)– that is conducting warfare utilizing networked information resources.

The CEC is a vital component of NCW because of its ability to enable surface ships and aircraft to share data with one another using the information systems each already has onboard. As the sensors on each communicate their data, the CEC system creates a composite track that allows an entire group of naval assets in a battle group to see a highly accurate single integrated air picture (SIAP) of a target or potential threat in real-time. In this environment CEC will become one of the critical elements in effectively responding to rapidly evolving threats around the globe.

At NAS Patuxent River, Md. On May 13 through 16, the Hawkeye 2000 flew several events that focused on the integration of the CEC with E2-C weapons systems. The major goal of this round of testing is evaluation of the interoperability between CEC and data links. Testing events included interoperability, DDS signal intercept range testing, HE2K target tracking in a CEC battle group environment and composite ID functionality.

Additional testing will continue at Patuxent River through the fall of 2002. After an initial FOTE period, it is anticipated that the system will be turned over to VAW 117 when they deploy with the Nimitz Battle Group later this year.

The long term benefits of integrating CEC into the E-2 platform are expanded capabilities that will better enable the aircraft to be an important focal point between air and sea assets, as well as preparing the aircraft for future inclusion in the Theatre Balistic Missile Equation.

(For more information on this release, call Renee Hatcher at 301-757-5138.)