Northrop Grumman and U.S. Navy team has successfully conducted the preliminary design review (PDR) for its E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aerial Refueling system.
To accommodate an aerial refueling capability, engineers had to change new seats to enhance pilot field-of-view and decrease crew fatigue; add formation lights for better visualization and air space orientation; and enhanced the software in the aircraft’s flight control system for better aircraft handling qualities when refueling.