The E-2 Hawkeye is an American carrier-based airborne early warning and command and control aircraft, primarily used by the United States Navy. However, France has also acquired the E-2 Hawkeye and operates it as a carrier-based early warning aircraft.
France's E-2 Hawkeye fleet is operated by the French Navy and is primarily deployed aboard the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. The aircraft provides early warning and detection capabilities, allowing for effective management and control of air operations. The E-2 Hawkeye is also equipped with a sophisticated suite of communication and data-sharing equipment, enabling it to serve as a command and control platform for other aircraft in the carrier strike group.
The French Navy's E-2 Hawkeye fleet is based on the E-2C variant, which has been in service with the U.S. Navy since the 1970s. France ordered three E-2C Hawkeyes from the United States in 1998, and they were delivered in 2000. In 2019, France ordered three more E-2D Hawkeyes, which are the latest and most advanced version of the aircraft.
France's acquisition of the E-2 Hawkeye has significantly enhanced its carrier strike group capabilities and has allowed for effective surveillance and control of the airspace around the carrier. The aircraft's advanced early warning and command and control capabilities make it a critical component of France's naval aviation force.
Maciej "Szamal" Szamałek is an aviation photographer from Poland who specializes in air-to-air photography. For him, photography is a form of play, to express his aviation passion. It helps him to capture fleeting moments and allows him to preserve emotions, sorrows, joys, and memories. It's a constant pursuit to be in the right place at the right time.