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EC-130G/Q TACAMO

In 1965, the Navy procured a number of C-130Gs to provide support to Polaris submarines and the exchange of their crews. Essentially the same as the F-model, these aircraft have increased structural strength, allowing higher gross weight operation. All models feature crew and cargo compartment pressurization, single-point refueling and a Doppler navigation system. The four of these aircraft were later modified as TACAMO communications relay aircraft and were redesignated EC-130G. After replacement by the E-6A, three aircraft were returned to transport configuration (albeit with no cargo ramp) as TC-130Gs, one now serving as the Blue Angels support aircraft, Fat Albert.

One other model, the EC-130Q, served in two VQ squadrons. This version had a permanently installed VLF radio transmitter system used to supplement shorebased communications facilities and acted as strategic communications aircraft, communicating with ballistic-missile submarines, under the TACAMO program.

Boeing derived the E-6A aircraft from its commercial 707 to replace the aging EC-130Q and perform the Navy's TACAMO ("Take Charge and Move Out") mission of providing secure, survivable, jam-resistant strategic communications relay for fleet ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).

E-XX TACAMO modernization

The E-6B Mercury served as a command relay to SSBNs under Navy’s “Take Charge and Move Out” (TACAMO) mission. It also served as an airborne launch control system for U.S. ICBMs under STRATCOM’s Airborne Command Post (Looking Glass) mission. The Navy is upgrading the E-6B to extend its operational life until FY2038. In the FY2025 budget, the Navy requested $775 million for TACAMO (E-XX) modernization. The E-XX aircraft, a modified version of number of C-130J-30 aircraft, will execute the “TACAMO mission only” [Anthony J. Cotton Commander United States Strategic Command Before The United States Senate Committee On Armed Services 29 February 2024]. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Marietta, Georgia, on 13 April 2023 was awarded a $62,223,836 modification (P00008) to a previously awarded, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N0001921C0041). This modification increases a contract line item to provide for rapid execution of non-recurring engineering, to include studies, engineering analysis, airframe analysis, and risk reduction of the C-130J-30 aircraft in support of identifying if the aircraft can meet E-XX capability requirements and the changes that will be required to the aircraft. Work will be performed in Marietta, Georgia, and is expected to be completed in June 2026. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. On 28 April 2023 Naval Air Systems Command issued N00019-22-RFPREQ-APM271-0373, the DRAFT Request for Proposal (RFP), announcement for a Pre-Solicitation Conference, and an updated program execution schedule (Attachment titled E-XX Acquisition Schedule - contract award in September 2024) for the PMA-271 Take Charge And Move Out (TACAMO) Recapitalization program (E-XX) Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) effort. This DRAFT RFP/Pre-solicitation was issued to engage industry in order to better inform acquisition decisions. The E-XX DRAFT RFP is unclassified with attachments that are Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Distribution Statement F, Secret, and classified collateral Top Secret (TS). The Pre-Solicitation Conference and One-on-Ones will be held at up to SECRET and TOP SECRET level respectfully, with no foreign nationals permitted.  The target audience is only those companies that have or can demonstrate that they can be an E-XX Prime Offeror. The May 2023 DRAFT RFP/Pre-solicitation will also include requirements for two (2) Aircraft Lots for a planned quantity of nine (9) aircraft. The U.S. Navy’s Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) and Strategic Communications Wing 1 (SCW-1) announced 21 October 2024 E-130J as the name selected for the Navy’s new Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission aircraft. The E-130J – previously called the E-XX while awaiting naming – will relieve the Navy’s E-6B Mercury fleet of the TACAMO mission, which connects the president, secretary of defense and U.S. Strategic Command with naval ballistic missile forces. The E-6B Mercury is a communications relay and strategic airborne command post aircraft. It provides survivable, reliable, and endurable airborne Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) for the president, secretary of defense and U.S. Strategic Command. E-130J is the aircraft’s mission design series (MDS). The E stands for special electronic installation; 130 is the design number and reflects the aircraft’s origins as the EC-130; and J is the series, demonstrating that it will be modified from a proven C-130J-30 Super Hercules airframe. The common name – e.g., Mercury – had not been selected. At the request of PMA-271, the U.S. Air Force approved the MDS earlier in the month. The Air Force approves all military aircraft names. PMA-271 is procuring the E-130J through the TACAMO Recapitalization Program. PMA-271 is part of Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and headquartered at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. Its mission is to deliver and support survivable, reliable and endurable airborne command, control and communications for the president, secretary of defense and U.S. Strategic Command. The solicitation, which closed in April 2024, was for a prime contractor to integrate TACAMO mission systems, including the Collins Aerospace Very Low Frequency (VLF) subsystem, into government-furnished C-130J-30 aircraft. Contract award is scheduled for January 2025. “I am proud to announce that the U.S. Navy’s new TACAMO aircraft will be the E-130J,” said PMA-271 Program Manager Capt. Adam Scott. “This is an important milestone as we work toward delivering the next generation of TACAMO aircraft to the warfighter.” The mission of SCW-1 is to receive, verify and retransmit Emergency Action Messages (EAMs) to U.S. strategic forces. The warfighters are the SCW-1 squadrons home based out of Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. They include the “Ironmen” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 3, “Shadows” of VQ-4 and “Roughnecks” of VQ-7. “I’m excited as SCW-1 continues to work together with PMA-271 to deliver new capabilities and strengthen America’s nuclear deterrence,” said SCW-1 Commander Capt. Britt Windeler. “The E-130J will assure that our nation’s leadership maintains control of its strategic forces as the E-6B gets closer to end of life, and enable it to focus on the performance of other critical missions until sundown.” Northrop Grumman has been selected as the prime contractor to deliver nuclear command, control and communications (NC3) aircraft for the U.S. Navy's Take Charge And Move Out (TACAMO) mission. The Northrop Grumman-led industry team will deliver the E-130J to relieve the U.S. Navy's current E-6B Mercury fleet of the TACAMO mission. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Melbourne, Florida, on 18 December 2024 was awarded a $3,459,276,000 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the engineering and manufacturing development of the E-130J, formerly known as E-XX, Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) Weapon System in support of the TACAMO Recapitalization Program for the Navy. This contract provides for the design, development, and integration of mature subsystems, to include Collins Aerospace’s Very Low Frequency into the government-furnished C-130J-30 air vehicle. Additionally, this contract develops and procures integration laboratories, training courseware and devices, product support and initial spares, and test and delivery of three engineering development model aircraft. Finally, the contract directs Collins Aerospace and Lockheed Martin Corp., respectively, to be designated subcontractors to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. to support integration and airworthiness. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Florida (35%); Marietta, Georgia (23%); Richardson, Texas (15%); Largo, Florida (8%); Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (6%); Orlando, Florida (2%); Indianapolis, Indiana (2%); Phoenix, Arizonia (1%); Torrance, California (1%); Clearwater, Florida (1%); Fort Wayne, Indiana (1%); San Antonio, Texas (1%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (4%), and is expected to be completed in December 2034. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $27,000,000; and fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,300,000, will be obligated at the time of award; $9,300,000 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competed, and two offers were received. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001925C0130). Northrop Grumman has invested in digital engineering and manufacturing capabilities that will assist in rapidly designing, building, testing and sustaining the E-130J. The company has been a key industry partner with the U.S. Navy as a prime aeronautics manufacturer for decades by serving as the prime contractor on the U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and the MQ-4C Triton as well as providing support for the E-6B Mercury TACAMO fleet. The effort will incorporate Northrop Grumman’s technology leadership in advanced manufacturing, agile design, digital engineering and weapon system integration expertise to take advantage of Day One readiness across the Northrop Grumman-led industry team?. The U.S. Navy’s TACAMO mission provides connectivity between the National Command Authority and U.S. nuclear forces. The Navy currently operates a fleet of E-6B Mercury aircraft to provide survivable, reliable and endurable airborne command, control and communications between the National Command Authority and U.S. forces. The E-130J will modernize this critical strategic deterrent mission. Northrop Grumman’s E-130J TACAMO industry team of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works ®; Raytheon; Crescent Systems, Inc; and Long Wave Inc. has vast knowledge and expertise in delivering critical command and control and nuclear enterprise capabilities? to meet the U.S. Navy’s E-130J TACAMO requirement.