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Radar upgrade enhances airborne early warning capability
Lockheed Martin advances E-2D platform performance with digital radar subsystem modernization for multi-domain defence operations.
www.lockheedmartin.com
A radar subsystem upgrade for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye introduces enhanced signal processing, wideband operation, and software-defined functionality to improve detection and tracking in complex operational environments. The development supports faster decision-making and extended platform lifecycle in airborne early warning missions.
Modernising radar architecture for evolving threat environments
Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with Northrop Grumman, completed flight testing of the Digital Receiver Exciter Recorder (DREXR) upgrade for the U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. The upgrade replaces legacy exciter and receiver subsystems with a compact, integrated unit designed to improve radar performance and maintainability.
The E-2D platform operates as a core node in carrier strike group defence, supporting detection, tracking, and command-and-control functions across air and maritime domains. The DREXR upgrade addresses increasing signal complexity and spectrum congestion in contested environments.
Key technical capabilities of the DREXR upgrade
The DREXR system introduces several validated capabilities during flight testing that directly enhance radar functionality:
- Wideband transmit and receive capability, enabling detection across broader frequency ranges
- Independent transmit control per radar element, supporting more flexible beamforming and target discrimination
- Software-defined waveform generation, allowing rapid adaptation to mission-specific requirements
- Integrated recording functionality for capturing radar data to support post-mission analysis and system optimisation
These features align with trends in the automotive data ecosystem-like architectures seen in defence systems, where software-defined capabilities enable continuous upgrades without major hardware changes.
Impact on operational performance and lifecycle
By consolidating multiple subsystems into a single unit, DREXR reduces system complexity while improving reliability and maintainability. The upgrade also extends the operational life of the E-2D platform by enabling incremental capability enhancements through software updates rather than full hardware replacements.
Enhanced situational awareness results from improved radar sensitivity and processing, enabling operators to detect and track smaller or more distant targets. Faster data processing and improved signal clarity contribute to reduced decision latency in high-threat scenarios.
Integration with existing sensor and mission systems
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye integrates its APY-9 radar, mission computer, and sensor suite to provide multi-domain awareness across air, sea, and joint operations. The DREXR upgrade complements this architecture by improving the performance of the radar subsystem without requiring fundamental changes to the platform’s overall design.
The ability to collect high-quality radar data during missions supports further development of advanced capabilities, including artificial intelligence-based analysis and adaptive threat response systems.
Position within airborne early warning systems
Airborne early warning platforms rely on high-performance radar systems capable of operating in dense electromagnetic environments. Compared with legacy radar architectures, software-defined and wideband systems such as DREXR offer improved adaptability and scalability.
This approach reflects a broader shift toward modular, upgradeable defence systems, where performance improvements are delivered through iterative enhancements rather than full platform replacement.
Edited by an industrial journalist Sucithra Mani with AI assistance.
www.lockheedmartin.com
Impact on operational performance and lifecycle
By consolidating multiple subsystems into a single unit, DREXR reduces system complexity while improving reliability and maintainability. The upgrade also extends the operational life of the E-2D platform by enabling incremental capability enhancements through software updates rather than full hardware replacements.
Enhanced situational awareness results from improved radar sensitivity and processing, enabling operators to detect and track smaller or more distant targets. Faster data processing and improved signal clarity contribute to reduced decision latency in high-threat scenarios.
Integration with existing sensor and mission systems
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye integrates its APY-9 radar, mission computer, and sensor suite to provide multi-domain awareness across air, sea, and joint operations. The DREXR upgrade complements this architecture by improving the performance of the radar subsystem without requiring fundamental changes to the platform’s overall design.
The ability to collect high-quality radar data during missions supports further development of advanced capabilities, including artificial intelligence-based analysis and adaptive threat response systems.
Position within airborne early warning systems
Airborne early warning platforms rely on high-performance radar systems capable of operating in dense electromagnetic environments. Compared with legacy radar architectures, software-defined and wideband systems such as DREXR offer improved adaptability and scalability.
This approach reflects a broader shift toward modular, upgradeable defence systems, where performance improvements are delivered through iterative enhancements rather than full platform replacement.
Edited by an industrial journalist Sucithra Mani with AI assistance.
www.lockheedmartin.com
