BAE Systems has been awarded a $62-million contract by the US Navy to establish a dedicated depot for the E-2D Hawkeye aircraft’s IFF system.
The new maintenance center will join the existing Fleet Readiness Center Southwest in San Diego and deliver testing, diagnostic, troubleshooting, and repair capabilities for the AN/APX-122A interrogator. BAE Systems notes that this facility will help improve mission readiness, reduce repair costs, and accelerate turnaround times for the aircraft’s critical IFF system.
A recognized leader in IFF technology, BAE has previously supplied the AN/UPX-50(C) interrogator under a $15-million 2023 contract and upgraded AN/APX-123A(V) transponders under a $30-million award in 2025 for Navy platforms.
The E-2D Hawkeye, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, serves as the Navy’s primary carrier-based airborne early warning aircraft. With Rolls-Royce T56-A-427A turboprops, it can exceed 300 knots and operate at altitudes up to 37,000 feet. Its Lockheed Martin AN/APY-9 radar enables detection of ships and aircraft at ranges over 550 kilometers, while the AN/APX-122A IFF system enhances crew situational awareness by distinguishing friend from foe.
