US Navy to receive new E-130J TACAMO aircraft for vital communication with US Nuclear Forces.

On December 18, 2024, Northrop Grumman was awarded a $3.549 billion contract to serve as the prime contractor for the U.S. Navy’s E-130J aircraft program. This aircraft will replace the E-6B Mercury in fulfilling the Take Charge And Move Out (TACAMO) mission, ensuring survivable and reliable communication between the National Command Authority and U.S. nuclear forces. The TACAMO mission is a critical element of the U.S. nuclear deterrence strategy, facilitating communication with ballistic missile submarines and other strategic platforms.
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The C-130J-30 platform is widely used across the U.S. military, which offers advantages in logistics, maintenance, and training, explaining why the US Navy selected this aircraft for its future E-130J TACAMO. (Picture source: Northop Grumman)

The TACAMO (Take Charge And Move Out) is a military communication system that provides survivable and reliable links between the U.S. National Command Authority and the country's nuclear forces, including ballistic missile submarines, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and nuclear-capable bombers. Its primary role is to relay Emergency Action Messages (EAMs) to strategic forces when ground-based communication systems are unavailable or compromised. The system uses airborne platforms equipped with Very Low Frequency (VLF) communication systems and trailing wire antennas to maintain contact with submerged submarines and other nuclear assets. Initially performed by modified C-130 aircraft, TACAMO transitioned to the E-6B Mercury fleet in the 1990s. The mission is now being updated with the development of the E-130J, a platform based on the C-130J-30.

The E-130J's primary role is to provide communication links between national command authorities and strategic forces, ensuring command and control over land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and coordinating launch sequences for the President, Secretary of Defense, and U.S. Strategic Command. This airframe was selected for its suitability for the TACAMO role, which includes providing airborne command and control capabilities. The aircraft will feature trailing wire antennas for Very Low Frequency (VLF) communication with submerged submarines, a large SATCOM dome positioned on the forward fuselage, and various additional antennas for secure and robust communications. A modified extended landing gear sponson on the left side of the aircraft is included, potentially housing additional equipment or cooling systems.

The Navy’s selection process for this contract involved evaluating proposals for technical approach and cost. The final decision prioritized the ability to integrate TACAMO mission systems, including the Collins Aerospace VLF system, onto the C-130J-30 platform while meeting operational readiness requirements. Work on the program begins immediately, with the first aircraft deliveries expected within the outlined contract timeline. Captain Adam Scott of the Navy’s Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office described the E-130J as a continuation of the TACAMO mission, while Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro emphasized its role in supporting the nuclear Triad. The program is being managed by the Navy’s PMA-271 office, which oversees airborne command and control systems.

Northrop Grumman stated that the program leverages over $1 billion in investments in digital engineering and advanced manufacturing. The company has previous experience supporting the Navy’s aeronautics needs, including the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and MQ-4C Triton programs, and assisting with the current E-6B fleet. Northrop Grumman’s contract involves the delivery of three Engineering Development Models (EDMs) and options for three System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTAs) and up to six production aircraft in the first lot. The company is leading an industry team that includes Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Raytheon, Crescent Systems, and Long Wave Inc., all contributing expertise in command and control and NC3 capabilities. The Collins Aerospace VLF system will be integrated as part of the aircraft’s communication suite.

The Boeing E-6B Mercury, derived from the Boeing 707, performs both the TACAMO mission and the Air Force's Looking Glass mission, which involves providing command and control of US nuclear forces. (Pïcture source: US DoD)

Production of the first E-130J began in November 2024, with delivery planned for 2026. The U.S. Navy has outlined plans to procure additional units in the future. The aircraft incorporates mission-specific modifications, including communication systems capable of operating across multiple frequency bands to maintain secure communication with submerged submarines and other strategic platforms. The E-130J will be operated by the U.S. Air Force's Strategic Communications Wing 1, based in Oklahoma.

The TACAMO mission has been operational since 1969. It was initially performed by modified EC-130G and EC-130Q aircraft before transitioning to the Boeing 707-based E-6B Mercury fleet in the 1990s. The Navy’s decision to return to a C-130-based platform reflects an emphasis on flexibility and operational efficiency. The C-130J-30 allows for more distributed operations by enabling the aircraft to operate from a broader range of airfields, including austere locations, compared to the E-6B. The C-130J-30 platform is widely used across the U.S. military, which offers advantages in logistics, maintenance, and training.

The new E-130J aircraft, unlike the E-6B, will be dedicated exclusively to the TACAMO mission, ensuring communications between national command authorities and strategic nuclear forces. The current E-6B Mercury, a Boeing 707-based aircraft, performs both the TACAMO mission and the Air Force's Looking Glass mission, which involves providing command and control of nuclear forces if ground-based systems are compromised. The future of the Looking Glass mission is under evaluation, with potential plans involving the Boeing 747-8-based E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) to replace the existing E-4B fleet and possibly assume this role.

This program is part of a broader nuclear modernization effort from the United States that includes several key systems, such as the Columbia-class submarines, which will replace the Ohio-class fleet, with the first vessel expected in the 2030s despite construction delays. The LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM is being developed to succeed the Minuteman III missiles, with deployment anticipated in 2030 or later due to cost increases and scheduling adjustments. The B-21 Raider bomber is expected to enter service by 2025, replacing older bomber models. Additionally, the Navy plans to transition to the E-130J fleet, retiring the E-6B by the 2030s, as the smaller size and updated systems of the E-130J are intended to meet cybersecurity requirements and operational demands more effectively.

The E-130J's development represents a key update to the United States' nuclear command and control infrastructure, aimed at maintaining secure communication channels between national command authorities and strategic nuclear forces. By replacing the E-6B Mercury, the E-130J incorporates modernized systems designed to address current challenges, such as electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and cyber threats. Its ability to operate from a broader range of airfields, including austere locations, enhances operational flexibility. This update ensures the continued reliability of communication with the U.S. nuclear triad, contributing to the stability of global nuclear deterrence.