In service for nearly 60 years, the US E-2 Hawkeye long-range radar detection aircraft (LRLDV) remains the only carrier-based aircraft with a rotary antenna cover. 19FortyFive columnist Harrison Cass spoke about the characteristics of the aircraft, which it called “unstoppable”.

It is emphasized that the E-2 was the first aircraft originally designed as a DRLV aircraft. A distinctive feature of the Hawkeye was the antenna cover that rotates on the fuselage. “The E-2 is the only carrier-based aircraft equipped with a rotating fairing. Typically, body aircraft like the E-3 Sentry are ground-based.”— writes Kass.

E-2 Hawkeye aircraft are based on every aircraft carrier in the US Navy. E-2s can track air and surface targets and transmit data on fighter targets and the carrier’s flagship communications centre.