Overview
- The Block II upgrade has passed its Critical Design Review, validating the design changes and allowing the program to move into the build and test phase.
- Block II introduces a modernized cockpit, an Open Mission Systems framework, increased onboard computing power and strengthened cybersecurity to enable faster, non‑proprietary software and capability updates.
- The Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a $1.19 billion contract for the first three Block II aircraft and has a stated requirement for 86 E-2Ds after Congress funded three in FY2026 and the service requested six in FY2027.
- The E-2D’s role in recent operations that detected missile and drone threats helped drive urgency for the upgrade, with Navy leaders calling the platform the fleet’s best sensor for those threats.
- Northrop plans to both retrofit existing airframes and incorporate Block II into new production, a move meant to cut obsolescence, speed capability insertion and strengthen carrier strike group command-and-control while supporting allied users such as Japan and France.