South China Sea. (April 17, 2023): In this photo by MC3 Hannah Kantner, Sailors perform maintenance on an E-2C Hawkeye from the “Sun Kings” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 116 on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. This legendary squadron has served as the “eyes in the skies” for fleet commanders since the Viet Nam War. Established in 1967, the “Sun Kings” provide command and control of the skies to aircraft carrier strike groups and are stationed at Point Mugu, California.

Manufactured by Northrop-Grumman, the E-2 Hawkeye is a two engine propellor driven aircraft that is distinctive for its 24-foot diameter rotating dome mounted above the fuselage. As with all carrier-borne airplanes, the E-2 is equipped with a tail hook for recovery (landing) and the nose gear can attach to the aircraft carrier's catapults for launch (takeoff). This E-2 is also unique because it is the only carrier-borne aircraft to employ primary antennas for its long range radar and IFF systems. The Hawkeye, like virtually all seaborne aircraft, has folding wings to preserve space.

The aircraft is operated by a crew of five, with the pilot and co-pilot on the flight deck and the combat information center officer, air control officer and radar operator stations located in the rear fuselage directly beneath the rotodome. The E-2 Hawkeye is a crucial component of all U.S. Navy carrier air wings. They run a continuous 24-hour-a-day operation of at least one E-2 in the air and for one or two undergoing maintenance in the aircraft carrier's hangar deck at all times.

The Hawkeye performs a number of vital missions for the fleet including sea and land surveillance, control of the aircraft carrier's fighter planes for air defense, managing strike aircraft on offensive missions, and the directing search and rescue missions for naval aviators or sailors lost at sea. It can also serve in an air traffic control capacity in emergency situations.

Using its advanced electronic sensors combined with digital computer signal processing, the Hawkeye gives commanders real time warning of approaching enemy aircraft and anti-ship missile attacks while controlling the carrier's combat air patrol fighters as they protect the fleet.

The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye has been sold to the armed forces of Egypt, France, Israel, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan.