Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with Northrop Grumman, completed flight testing of the Digital Receiver Exciter Recorder (DREXR) upgrade for the U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft on April 21, 2026, in Syracuse, New York. The tests validated critical enhancements that boost radar performance in contested environments, strengthening carrier strike group defense.
The DREXR replaces legacy exciter and receiver subsystems with a compact single-box design. This upgrade delivers next-generation capabilities, including wideband transmit and receive, independent transmit control per radar element, and software-defined waveforms.
Integrated recording captured radar data for mission analysis and advanced development, such as artificial intelligence applications. These features extend the E-2D’s operational life while sustaining interoperability amid evolving threats.
The successful tests enhance commanders’ situational awareness and decision-making speed. For the Navy, this reinforces the E-2D’s role as the premier airborne early warning platform, providing a decisive edge in battlespace operations.