The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye first entered service in 1964 and has undergone a series of upgrades and modifications over time. It is one of the great unsung heroes of the US Navy’s carrier strike group, serving as the eyes in the sky that detect threats as they approach the task force. The Navy is moving forward with an important new series of upgrades that will enable the Hawkeye to take on a ‘quarterback’ role within the fleet and tie into its networked ecosystem being designed as the future of carrier-based airpower.