Lexington Park in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Grumman E-2B Hawkeye
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 30, 2019
Eye in the Sky Housing a powerful search radar antenna, the E-2's 24-foot diameter rotating dome is unmistakable. The first aircraft designated for Airborne Early Warning, the E-2 conducts air, sea, and land surveillance. It can control aircraft for tactical missions and carrier launch and recovery operations. Naval Air Test Center (NATC) personnel tested the first generation E-2A in the 1962-1964 timeframe. Unfortunately, E-2As proved to be unreliable in service. So, like the aircraft before you, E-2As were converted into E-2Bs in the early 1970s. E-2B reliability enhancements, including a new mission computer and improved avionics cooling, began a process of evolutionary improvement that led to the current E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, which was fielded in 2013. The C-2 Greyhound cargo aircraft is also derived from the basic E-2 airframe.
Our Display Aircraft Bureau Number 152476 was built as an E-2A and accepted by the Navy on 3 February 1966. Our Hawekeye served with various fleet squadrons before being converted to an E-2B in January 1971. As an E-2B, it served with NATC's Service Test Division as well as several fleet squadrons. Our E-2's last flight in July 1985 returned it to NAS Patuxent River, after logging 6,700 flight hours, 771 catapult launches, and 785 arrested landings. It joined the PRNAM flight line in September 1986.
• Primary Mission: Airborne Early Warning, Command & Control
• Crew: Pilot, Copilot, Radar Operator/Flight Technician, Combat Information Center Officer, and Air Control Officer
• U.S. Service Timeline (E-2 Series): 1964 - present
• Max. Gross Weight: 51,000 lb
• Dimensions: 56.3 ft length, 80.6 ft wing span
• Propulsion: Two Allison T56-A-426 turboprop engines
• Max Operating Speed: 150 MPH (sea level)
• Armament: None
Erected by Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Communications • Military. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1971.
Location. 38° 16.545′ N, 76° 27.703′ W. Marker is in Lexington Park, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. Marker can be reached from Three Notch Road (Maryland Route 235) north of Buse Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22156 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park MD 20653, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet (a few steps from this marker); North American T-39D Sabreliner
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 30, 2019
Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 347 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.