Lockheed Martin Completes Flight Testing of DREXR Upgrade for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

Lockheed Martin has announced the successful completion of flight testing for the Digital Receiver Exciter Recorder (DREXR) upgrade developed for the U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. Conducted in partnership with Northrop Grumman, the milestone represents another step in the ongoing modernisation of one of the Navy’s most important airborne command-and-control platforms. The program is intended to keep the aircraft effective against rapidly evolving threats while ensuring it remains a key component of carrier strike group operations for years to come.

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye performs a central role in naval aviation by providing airborne early warning, surveillance, battle management, and command-and-control capabilities. Operating from aircraft carriers and land bases when required, the aircraft gives naval commanders a broader view of the operational environment than shipboard sensors alone can provide. Its ability to detect and track threats at long range provides valuable reaction time, particularly in contested environments where quick, accurate decisions are critical to mission success.

According to Lockheed Martin, the DREXR upgrade is designed to improve the aircraft’s radar performance while also extending the operational life of the fleet. The new system replaces the current exciter and receiver subsystems with a compact single-box architecture intended to simplify integration, reduce hardware complexity, and enhance capability. By consolidating functions into a more modern package, the upgrade may also help reduce maintenance demands and improve long-term reliability for operators.

During the recent flight test campaign, engineers evaluated several important functions of the upgraded system under operational conditions. These included wideband transmit and receive capability, independent transmit control for each radar element, and software-defined waveform functionality. Together, these features are intended to improve the radar’s flexibility and responsiveness in complex missions. The tests also involved collecting radar data through an integrated recording system, allowing engineers to analyse performance and support future capability development.

The DREXR system is expected to strengthen the E-2D’s role in detecting, tracking, and countering increasingly sophisticated threats. Modern naval forces must be prepared for electronic warfare environments, long-range missile systems, stealthier targets, and fast-moving multi-domain engagements involving air, sea, land, cyber, and space assets. Upgrades such as DREXR are aimed at ensuring the Hawkeye remains capable in these demanding scenarios, where maintaining situational awareness can determine the outcome of an engagement.

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is equipped with the AN/APY-9 radar, a system known for its 360-degree surveillance coverage and ability to detect airborne and surface contacts over long distances. Combined with advanced mission computers, communications systems, and onboard sensors, the aircraft acts as a force multiplier by linking ships, aircraft, and joint forces into a common operational picture. This networking capability allows commanders to coordinate assets more effectively across wide areas of operation.

By improving radar signal generation and reception, DREXR may enhance the aircraft’s sensitivity, target tracking accuracy, and resistance to interference. The software-defined waveform capability is also significant because it allows future upgrades to be introduced through software changes rather than extensive hardware replacement. This approach can reduce sustainment costs while enabling faster adaptation to new threats, an increasingly important advantage as defence technology evolves more rapidly.

Another notable aspect of the testing program was the collection of data to support future advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence applications. Modern radar systems generate enormous volumes of information and AI-assisted processing could help crews identify patterns, prioritise contacts, and accelerate decision-making during high-tempo operations. Such capabilities may become increasingly valuable as the number and complexity of threats continue to grow.

The U.S. Navy continues to invest in the E-2D fleet as a core element of carrier air wing operations and broader maritime strategy. The aircraft has become increasingly important as naval forces adopt distributed maritime operations concepts, which rely on greater coordination between dispersed units over large distances. In these scenarios, airborne battle management platforms provide essential connectivity and oversight that cannot easily be replicated by surface assets alone.

Originally developed by Northrop Grumman, the E-2D is the latest version of the long-serving Hawkeye family, which has served in carrier-based operations for decades. Continuous modernisation has allowed the type to remain relevant despite changing threats and advancing technology. The successful DREXR flight tests indicate that the next phase of upgrades is progressing steadily, helping ensure the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye remains a vital asset for future naval operations.