Lockheed Martin’s DREXR upgrade strengthens E-2D advanced Hawkeye
Delivering proven multi-domain decision dominance anytime, anywhere.
SYRACUSE, N.Y., April 21, 2026 — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), in collaboration with Northrop Grumman, has successfully completed flight testing of the Digital Receiver Exciter Recorder (DREXR) upgrade for the U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft.
The successful tests strengthen the Navy’s ability to detect, track and counter evolving threats in contested and austere environments, reinforcing the E-2D’s critical role in defending the Carrier Strike Group. The upgrade enhances commanders’ situational awareness and decision-making speed, providing a decisive operational advantage across the battlespace.
“The successful DREXR flight tests demonstrate our commitment to keeping the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye at the forefront of airborne early warning and battle management,” said Rick Cordaro, vice president of Lockheed Martin Radar and Sensor Systems. “By modernizing this proven platform, we are ensuring it remains a critical enabler for force protection, command and control, and mission success in today’s increasingly complex threat environment.”
DREXR is a compact, single-box upgrade, replacing the current Exciter and Receiver subsystems, that delivers next-generation radar performance while extending the operational life of the Navy’s premier airborne early warning platform. During flight testing, the joint industry team validated key capabilities, including wideband transmit and receive, independent transmit per radar element, and software-defined waveform functionality. The team also collected critical radar data through the integrated recorder to support mission analysis and ongoing advanced capability development, including artificial intelligence.
photo courtesy Lockheed Martin
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Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman successfully completed flight testing of the Digital Receiver Exciter Recorder (DREXR) upgrade for the U.S. Navy's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft in Syracuse on April 21, 2026. This upgrade enhances the aircraft's radar capabilities, improving its ability to detect and track threats, thereby reinforcing its role in defending Carrier Strike Groups. The DREXR system modernizes the platform, ensuring its operational effectiveness in complex threat environments.
- Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman completed flight testing of the DREXR upgrade.
- The upgrade enhances the E-2D's ability to detect and track threats.
- DREXR replaces current Exciter and Receiver subsystems for improved radar performance.
- The upgrade supports mission analysis and advanced capability development, including AI.
- The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye plays a critical role in defending Carrier Strike Groups.