TOKYO and BETHPAGE, N.Y., Dec.
23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Northrop Grumman Corporation
(NYSE: NOC) has entered into an exclusive, five-year agreement with
AAR Corporation of Illinois and
Sumitomo Corporation of Japan,
expanding industrial support for the Japan E-2C Hawkeye program by
establishing a "just-in-time" inventory management process.
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"Japan is our largest
international Hawkeye operator," said Bart
LaGrone, vice president, E-2/C-2 programs, Northrop Grumman
Aerospace Systems. "The Japan Air Self Defense Force [JASDF] has
achieved an incredible operational stature with its E-2C fleet,
approaching 115,000 accident-free flight hours. The demand for E-2
Hawkeye airborne early warning and control is even greater now than
when the systems were first delivered to JASDF in 1984."
Japan initially acquired E-2C
aircraft to provide "over the horizon" early warning against low
flying aircraft. The mission has evolved over time to include
long-range sea and air surveillance. The E-2 Hawkeye provides
continuous and simultaneous 360-degree surface and air
surveillance, at maximum range.
"Northrop Grumman will continue to provide E-2C support to JASDF
and other E-2C operators as the U.S. Navy begins its transition to
the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye in fiscal year 2015," added LaGrone.
Key industrial partners providing support to JASDF's E-2C
Hawkeye fleet include Toshiba Corporation and Kawasaki Heavy
Industries. The AAR agreement supplies airframe parts and
accessories for the E-2C with options to increase that support as
needed; ensuring that Japan's
Hawkeye fleet maintains the high operational rates they have
achieved for nearly 30 years.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing
innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems,
cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and
commercial customers worldwide. Please visit
www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation