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Northrop upgrading French Navy E-2Cs

BETHPAGE, N.Y., Oct. 15 (UPI) -- The French Navy's E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft are being upgraded with an identification friend-or-foe system from Northrop Grumman.

Included in the upgrade of the three aircraft will be installation of AN/APX-122A IFF Mode 5/Mode S interrogators and AN/APX-123 IFF Mode 5/Mode S transponders.

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"Northrop Grumman has had a long and collaborative partnership with the French Navy, extending back to October 1997," said Bart LaGrone, vice president, E-2/C-2 programs, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "Through that partnership, we've observed the proactive and innovative approach the French Navy takes to maintaining relevancy of its E-2 Hawkeye fleet and personnel."

The IFF system, for distinguishing between friendly and enemy aircraft, will increase the French planes' commonality with U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft and interoperability.

The value of the contract was not disclosed, nor was a contract performance timeline.

The E-2C Hawkeye is manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The French Navy has operated the aircraft since 2000.

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