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The U.S. Navy selected Northrop Grumman as the prime contractor to deliver E-130J nuclear command, control and communications (NC3) aircraft for the Take Charge And Move Out (TACAMO) mission. The United States seeks to replace the existing E-6B Mercury fleet with advanced E-130J aircraft.

The United States Navy recently awarded Northrop Grumman a $3.45 billion contract to conduct the mission-systems integration for the E-130J, which will be the successor to the E-6B Mercury for the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission.

The U.S. Navy is scheduled to receive its first E-130J TACAMO aircraft in 2026. Following the initial delivery, the Navy plans to procure additional E-130J aircraft in the subsequent years to fully replace the aging E-6B Mercury fleet and enhance the TACAMO mission’s capabilities.

Under the contract awarded by the Navy on December 19, 2024, the Northrop Grumman will serve as the prime contractor to integrate TACAMO mission systems, including the Collins Aerospace Very Low Frequency system, into government-furnished Lockheed Martin-built C-130J-30 aircraft, the U.S. Navy statement highlighted.

U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said in a statement, “Our TACAMO mission is foundational to our nation’s nuclear Triad,” adding that “The E-130J will carry on the proud legacy of Navy TACAMO aircraft and keep our nation safe.”

TACAMO is a United States military system of survivable communications links designed to maintain communications between U.S. decision-makers and the triad of strategic weapon delivery systems. It ensures secure connectivity between the National Command Authority and U.S. nuclear forces, including ballistic submarines capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Currently, this mission is supported by the E-6B Mercury fleet, which provides reliable, and enduring airborne command, control, and communications. The introduction of the E-130J will modernize and enhance this critical strategic deterrent capability.

Northrop Grumman’s E-130J TACAMO industry team includes Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Raytheon, Crescent Systems, and Long Wave Inc. Together they bring extensive expertise in delivering vital command-and-control and nuclear enterprise solutions to meet the U.S. Navy’s E-130J TACAMO requirements.

According to the Northrop Grumman statement, the company has leveraged its investments in digital engineering and advanced manufacturing capabilities to enable the rapid design, production, testing, and sustainment of the E-130J aircraft.

As a long-standing partner to the U.S. Navy, Northrop Grumman has served as the prime contractor on key programs, including the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and MQ-4C Triton, while also providing critical support for the E-6B Mercury TACAMO fleet.

Vice president and general manager of global surveillance division at Northrop Grumman, Jane Bishop said, “Our performance on Navy programs 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 optimized for this strategically important mission.”

The E-130J is a critical part of the United States’ nuclear modernization program, which includes new Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, new bomber aircraft such as the B-21 Raider, and Sentinel, a new ground-based system to replace the silo-based Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. The E-130J will ensure that leadership can always communicate with those nuclear forces to order or cancel strikes, even if ground-based communications are unavailable.

According to the U.S. Navy statement, “The E-130J is a critical part of the United States’ nuclear modernization program, which includes new Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, new bomber aircraft such as the B-21 Raider, and Sentinel, a new ground-based system to replace the silo-based Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. The E-130J will ensure that leadership can always communicate with those nuclear forces to order or cancel strikes, even if ground-based communications are unavailable.”