Grumman TE-2C Hawkeye

The Grumman TE‑2C Hawkeye, a naval airborne early‑warning and command aircraft, entered service in the early 1970s as an advance of the original E‑2 series. Developed by Grumman for the United States Navy, the TE‑2C incorporated a stretched fuselage, upgraded avionics and a more powerful T56‑A-427 turboprop engine, delivering improved endurance and higher payload capacity. Its distinctive high‑mounted, twin‑radome wing provided 360‑degree radar coverage, while the integrated AN/APY‑7 multi‑mode radar could detect low‑flying threats at ranges exceeding 250 nautical miles. The cockpit featured a glass display suite and digital flight‑control system, allowing a two‑person crew to coordinate surveillance, battle‑management and vectoring of interceptor aircraft. Throughout the Cold War, the TE‑2C served on aircraft carriers and forward operating bases, proving essential for fleet air defense and maritime domain awareness. The platform’s versatility led to adaptations for surface‑search, electronic‑warfare and humanitarian missions. Its legacy endures as a cornerstone of carrier‑based early‑warning technology, influencing modern AEW&C designs such as the E‑2D Advanced Hawkeye and shaping doctrine for joint maritime operations. Today, a limited number remain active with naval allies, demonstrating the TE‑2C’s lasting impact on carrier‑borne situational awareness and force projection.