Today during the Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing, I announced the MQ-25A Stingray is moving into the production phase. Integrating unmanned refueling extends the lethality of our Carrier Strike Groups and equips our force with a decisive advantage to fight and win… pic.twitter.com/uBs7Gc5mdX— Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao (@SECNAV) May 19, 2026
Today during the Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing, I announced the MQ-25A Stingray is moving into the production phase. Integrating unmanned refueling extends the lethality of our Carrier Strike Groups and equips our force with a decisive advantage to fight and win… pic.twitter.com/uBs7Gc5mdX
An E-2D Hawkeye, attached to Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 117, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), May 17, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo)
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jeremiah Caldwell, the oncoming commanding officer of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 125, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 and Cmdr. Daniel Yates, the off-going commander of VAW-125, CVW 5 perform a fly over in E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 13, 2026. During the change of command ceremony, Cmdr. Daniel Yates relinquished his command to Cmdr. Jeremiah Caldwell, who took charge as the commanding officer of VAW-125. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Gage Collins)
Key Takeaways
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye delivers advanced airborne early warning and battle management to ensure air superiority. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – April 30, 2026 – Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) has delivered the 70th E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to the U.S. Navy, demonstrating steady production momentum and continued collaboration with the Navy and industry partners.
Northrop Grumman has produced a total of 82 E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes for the U.S. Navy and Japan Air Self-Defense Force to date.
The company continuously modernizes the E-2D to meet evolving mission requirements driven by lessons learned from today’s operations.
The system is purpose-built for airborne early warning and battle management, capabilities that are deliberately enhanced to maintain air superiority now and decades to come.
Experts:
Janice Zilch, vice president and program manager, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, Northrop Grumman: “E-2D deliveries demonstrate our commitment to quality and performance with speed and scale, supporting those who operate and maintain this platform. We’re seeing the Advanced Hawkeye’s exceptional performance in today’s operational environments, and we’re actively planning its future advancements.”
Details on Program:
From remote, austere locations to the most advanced airfields, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye provides exceptional airborne early warning and battle management capabilities that enhance joint and coalition operations and ensure air superiority. E-2D is a versatile airborne command node that connects joint and allied forces into a unified network. Equipped with an advanced 360-degree radar and powerful mission, data and communications systems, it delivers real-time data and communications to dominate across domains and missions.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.
(source: Northrop Grumman Release, 30 Apr 2026)
The MQ-25A (production version) Stingray recently completed its first flight:
Story by NAWCAD Visual Information
Friday, April 4, 2026
The Navy dedicated one of Naval Air Station Patuxent River’s newest facilities, an advanced test hangar intended for future testing of the MQ-25A Stingray, on April 10 in honor of a U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) alumnus who died in a training accident nearly 25 years ago.
The dedication ceremony honored Lt. Cmdr. Raymond O’Hare, a student test pilot who was killed alongside his classmate, Lt. Cmdr. Gareth Rietz, when their T-38A Talon crashed on July 11, 2000.
The event, held during the annual USNTPS alumni weekend, brought together O’Hare’s family, distinguished visitors, and members across the aviation community to unveil a permanent memorial and officially name the facility.
Naval Air Systems Command Reserve Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Shawn Denihan, a classmate of O’Hare’s, presided over the ceremony.
"Dedicating this hangar is a rare honor, reserved for those like my classmate and friend, Ray O'Hare, whose character exceeded the highest standards in the Navy,” said Denihan. “It is with tremendous pride for his family that this hangar – a gateway to naval aviation’s future – makes Ray's legacy part of every mission."
The crash occurred as the two pilots were on approach to the air station. Both were members of USNTPS Class 118. In a continued effort to honor their memory, USNTPS alumni are also working to dedicate the future E-6 replacement program hangar to Rietz.
The newly dedicated hangar will be the hub for future testing of Stingray, the Navy’s first carrier-based unmanned aircraft designed for aerial refueling. Capt. Daniel Fucito, Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager, also spoke at the event, connecting the aircraft's future to naval aviation and the legacy of pilots like O'Hare.
“Every flight where MQ-25 takes to the skies is a testament to the enduring spirit of naval aviation and the memory of those like Ray who paved the way,” said Fucito. “This hangar is a reminder of the courage and commitment that defines our test community.”
O'Hare, a 1989 graduate of Harvard University and former F-14 Radar Intercept Officer, was 33 at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife and their three children who were in attendance. The permanent memorial in the hangar's foyer will serve as a reminder of O'Hare's ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of aviation excellence.
Date Taken:
04.10.2026
Date Posted:
04.13.2026 13:40
Story ID:
562586
Location:
PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND, US
Hometown:
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, US
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, US
PALOS HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, US
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Navy dedicates MQ-25 hangar to fallen test pilot, by NAWCAD Visual Information, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
A U.S. Sailor chains an E-2D Hawkeye, attached to Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 117, on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during Operation Epic Fury, March 26, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)
"The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement."
The Norfolk Foundation "crew" got together on March 26th at Dockside. Happy to see Spike & Bill, along with the regular crowd of Rudy, Lumpy, Billy Mac, Steiner, Rodent, Vern, Paulie, Dustin, Purds, JT, Lips, and Mike. Great stories and food. We are looking forward to the next Dulang "Spring Fling" Production on April 16th in Norfolk area - time and place TBD but look for Dulang's updates.
