The U.S. Navy unveiled the name of its next Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission aircraft, which will be the E-130J. This new aircraft will take on the crucial task of maintaining communication between the president, secretary of defense and U.S. Strategic Command with submarine-based ballistic missile forces, taking over from the veteran E-6B Mercury fleet.

The E-130J – which had been provisionally designated E-XX – is a special mission aircraft derived from the proven C-130J-30 Super Hercules airframe and is designed to provide an airborne nuclear command, control and communications (NC3) system that is both reliable and rugged. The common name – e.g., Mercury – for the new E-130Js has not yet been selected.

 

The U.S. Navy’s Strategic Airborne Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) and Strategic Communications Wing 1 (SCW-1) are acquiring E-130J aircraft through the TACAMO Recapitalization Program. The solicitation to select a prime contractor to integrate TACAMO mission systems, including Collins Aerospace’s Very Low Frequency (VLF) subsystem, into government-provided C-130J-30 aircraft closed in April 2024. 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.”

SCW-1 squadrons, based at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, will lead E-130J operations. «Ironmen» from VQ-3, ‘Shadows’ from VQ-4 and ‘Roughnecks’ from VQ-7 will be tasked with this critical mission, which ensures continuous communication between Washington and the primary U.S. nuclear deterrent asset: the fleet of Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). These submarines are capable of up to 77 days at sea and are armed with 20 Trident D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, although their design allows them to carry up to 24 missiles, each with multiple warheads.

As the E-6B Mercury, which were for decades a mainstay in command and control operations, nears deactivation, the introduction of the E-130J becomes a vital element in ensuring the continuity of U.S. strategic and nuclear deterrent capabilities.