The 46th E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning aircraft built for the U.S. Navy will be the first to have in-flight refueling (IFR) straight from the factory.
Officials from Northrop Grumman says the production of that aircraft will start this year and will be delivered to the customer in 2020. The U.S. Navy has ordered 75 E-2Ds.
A modified Advanced Hawkeye with a refueling probe has so far took on fuel from KC-130, KC-135, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the KC-10.