Northrop Grumman has been chosen by the US Navy to deliver its new E-130J nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) aircraft, which will serve the take charge and move out (TACAMO) mission.
Under the $3.549bn contract from the Navy, the company has been designated as the primary integrator for TACAMO mission systems, including the Very Low Frequency system from Collins Aerospace, into C-130J-30 aircraft provided by the government and manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
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Collins Aerospace and Lockheed Martin will act as directed subcontractors, contributing to the integration process and ensuring airworthiness.
The industry team for the E-130J TACAMO also includes Raytheon, Crescent Systems, and Long Wave, all of which bring experience in command and control and nuclear enterprise capabilities.
The contract was awarded following a competitive procurement process that involved substantial industry participation. The Navy’s decision was based on an assessment of which proposal delivered the most advantageous combination of technical strategy and cost-effectiveness.
The agreement includes three engineering development models with additional options for up to three system demonstration test articles and a potential first production batch of six planes.
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By GlobalDataNorthrop Grumman’s investment, exceeding $1bn in digital engineering and manufacturing, will support the rapid design, construction, testing, and maintenance of the E-130J.
Northrop Grumman global surveillance division vice-president and general manager Jane Bishop said: “Our performance on Navy programmes like the E-2D and E-6B prove we deliver on what we promise, and we will bring this expertise in helping the Navy deliver the E-130J on time and optimised for this strategically important mission.”
The Navy’s Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) is leading the acquisition effort.
The E-130J plays a vital role in the US nuclear modernisation efforts, complementing new assets like the Columbia-class submarines, B-21 Raider bombers, and Sentinel land-based systems intended to succeed the Minuteman III ICBMs.
The aircraft is designed to maintain uninterrupted communication channels with nuclear forces for command directives, even in scenarios where traditional ground communications are compromised.
The introduction of the E-130J is set to take over the TACAMO responsibilities from the E-6B.
Currently, the E-6B aircraft serves as a strategic airborne command post and communications relay platform. It ensures that NC3 remain intact for key national figures such as the president, secretary of defence, and US Strategic Command under all conditions.
With dual-mission capabilities, it supports both the fail-safe TACAMO mission and the looking glass mission—overseeing the airborne launch control system for US land-based ICBMs.
Previously, Northrop Grumman announced the delivery of the first modified E-6B Mercury Aircraft under the integrated modification and maintenance contract for the Navy.
