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2021-07-07

Collins Aerospace Maximises E-2D Advanced Hawkeye’s Performance

Collins Aerospace continues to provide E-2D Advanced Hawkeye operators with reduced maintenance time and cost, and enhanced crew comfort and safety, with its advanced NP2000 propeller and digital Electronic Propeller Control System. The company, a unit of Raytheon Technologies Corp. announced, that it has begun shipping parts following a second multi-year contract it received in November to supply Northrop Grumman with NP2000 propeller systems for 39 E-2D aircraft.

NP2000 offers operators the ability to replace individual blades on-wing for reduced maintenance time and increased aircraft availability. By improving speed holding and blade synchronization, NP2000’s digital Electronic Propeller Control System also enhances crew comfort and safety by reducing vibration and noise inside the cockpit.

“The E-2D plays a critical part in battle management command and control,” said Quinlan Lyte, senior director, Propeller Systems for Collins Aerospace. “Through the benefits it provides, our intelligent NP2000 helps support the E-2D mission by increasing operational efficiency and boosting readiness.”

NP2000 has been in service with the U.S. Navy and international customers on the Northrop Grumman E-2 and C-2 since 2004, and with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force on Lockheed Martin C-130 variants since 2008. Over that time, the NP2000 has accumulated more than one million flight hours.

Cost-Effective Solution

The NP2000 reduces maintenance time and cost, while providing valuable diagnostics for aircraft maintenance teams. Unlike the existing propeller system, the NP2000 allows operators to remove and replace individual blades on-wing, without removing the entire propeller system. This results in significant cost savings per flight hour, as well as reduced maintenance labour hours. Over the remaining lifespan of the C-130, this could equal to millions in savings.

This innovative propeller system shortens heavyweight take off by approximately 300 metres with up to 20 per cent greater propeller take-off thrust. And by lowering airframe noise and vibration, the MTBF of additional aircraft systems increase, while crew fatigue can decrease.

With more than 1,000,000 flight hours, the NP2000 is military qualified, operating globally on the E-2 and C-130 fleets. With continued investment and expansion of MRO facilities around the globe, Collins Aerospace is ensuring the C-130 fleets fly well into the future. In addition to the C-130, the NP2000 is available for the Northrop Grumman E-2 and C-2 and is planned for use on the Lockheed Martin P-3.

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