8 Blades E-2 Props

[mudkow60]

At NAS Pensacola this week, there was a det of E-2's/C-2's practicing FCLP's. A couple of the birds had 8 bladed props! Has anyone seen these, or have any info on performance stats?

Was pretty neat to see.

 

[MKaprocki]

Believe that's the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.
http://www.dcmilitary.com/navy/tester/10_11/local_news/33808-1.html

 

[SIG600]

They started testing those a long time ago... I believe it's an electronically controlled prop, and it's a retrofit for current E-2's. Could be wrong though, I just remember reading the articles during testing in the Naval Aviation mags laying around the squadron.

 

[Wasted]

It's called the NP2000 prop. The E-2D is a different animal and probably won't be ready until the end of the decade if ever, but the NP2000 prop is being retrofitted now to current E-2Cs. VAW-124 is the first fleet squadron with the mod.

 

[FNG24]

Six blade props...there Hawkeye 2000 planes

 

[SIG600]

Six blade props...there Hawkeye 2000 planes

No wasted was right.. it's the NP2000. And they are 8 bladed. AKA E-2C+ (just spoke to a buddy flying E-2's).

http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=23721

 

[DaveGriffin]

One of the interesting performance attributes of the new prop is the reduced noise inside the airplane. The pilots and crew are able to hear noises they have never heard before. But the problem is, they don’t know if these noises have always been there and they were unable to hear them because of the noise of the old props, or if the new noises are related to the new props.

 

[skywiz]

they are 8 blades

The Navy is slowly phasing in the 8 blade props on the E-2Cs. All should be converted in the next couple years or so. C-2s are supposed to be getting them in the next 2-3 (who knows) years.

I haven't flown 8 blades but there are several pros/cons:
pros:
quieter, less vibration(on the airframe/equipment - less wear), a little more SHP, Virtually impossible to pitchlock (no pitchlock situations since the 8 blade can feather no problem with loss of hyd oil pressure)

cons:
when you pull the power back to flt idle, I have heard the airplane just doesn't want to slow down. Floats quite a bit. I have heard rumors that they might be installing speed brakes to counter this tendancy. There are a few other bugs with the system that are being worked out.

 

[skywiz]

take it back

My roomie is an E-2 guy and let me correct myself...

NP2000 prop (8 blade) has the same SHP (5100) (same motor) however, the 8 blade climbs faster on 2 engines than the 4 blades with 2 engines BUT single engine, the 4 blade will out climb the 8 blade.

Also, E-2D is a future model which will be advanced in more ways than just props. (glass cockpits, air to air refuelling?)