E-130J Tacamo will replace the E-6B Mercury fleet, ensuring strategic communication in case of nuclear war
On August 8, the United States Navy officially announced the name of its new strategic communication aircraft E130J TACAMO: “Phoenix II”.
The new model will replace the Boeing E-6B Mercurywhich has been a mission for more than 30 years to ensure communication between the president and the US Secretary of Defense with underwater -armed submarines with nuclear ballistic missiles.
The TACARE and Move Out system – “Assume the command and skirt”) consists of air relay capable of receiving, validating and sending emergency commands to strategic forces even in global conflict scenarios. Phoenix II represents the return of the Navy to lockheed C-130-based planes, previously used in the EC-130q version between 1963 and 1993 for similar functions.
The program is led by Northrop Grumman, hired for $ 3.5 billion to develop the new aircraft. Lockheed Martin will provide the C-130J platform, which will receive a complex communication and protection system to ensure operation in nuclear confrontation environments.
The exact number of e-130J aircraft has not yet been informed, but it is expected to completely replace the 16-E-6B Mercury fleet currently in service. The Navy pointed out that “Phoenix II” will offer “incomparable reliability and durability” for critical missions.
Sources: Northrop Grumman, x @ngcnews | Navair, x @navairnews. This content was created with the help of AI and revised by the editorial team.
