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NAVAIR, Boeing continue joint testing on upgraded E-6B at Patuxent River

NAVAIR News Release

1/13/2003

By Renee Hatcher PEO (A) Public Affairs

An E-6B Mercury that has been modified with a new cockpit and an advanced communications package arrived at Naval Air Station Patuxent River Jan. 8 where joint testing by VX-20 and Boeing E-6 test teams will continue.

The E-6 is a communications relay and strategic airborne command post aircraft. Capt. William G. Okoniewski manages NAVAIR's E-6 Program Office (PMA-271). The E-6 provides airborne command, control, and communications between the president, secretary of defense, and U.S. strategic and non-strategic forces. The mission system and cockpit display upgrades will improve mission avionics, provide additional data processing capabilities, and increase reliability and maintainability for the Mercury.

"It's a great situational awareness enhancer," said Lt. Bob Strahm, project test pilot. "These improvements will do great things for the TACAMO community."

The mission system upgrade provides Automated Data Processing, Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA), and Weight Savings (ADWS). Wide bandwidth data capability is also included through integration of a phased array antenna system. The improvements include Secure Internet Protocol Router Network and Non-secure Internet Protocol Router Network functions. Highlights of these functions include two separate onboard servers (classified and unclassified), access to servers on the ground via command managed local area network communication links, airborne user interface via laptop computers, and Ku band (high-speed) uplink and DAMA or Northstar Network (up to 16Kbps) downlink.

The upgraded cockpit is equipped with the Multifunction Display System that is based on the Boeing Commercial 777 and 737-700 next generation avionics technology. The MDS will provide the fleet with state-of-the-art communications, navigation, and surveillance capability in order to address emerging global air traffic management requirements.

The joint Navy/Boeing flight test team has been conducting the flight test program at the Boeing Development and Modification Center in Wichita, Kan. and last week took advantage of the specialized flight test capabilities at NAVAIR Patuxent River. Following planned flight test events, the aircraft left Pax River Jan. 12 and headed back to Boeing's Wichita facility.