The US Navy has accepted the first newly built Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules for conversion into the E-130J Phoenix II, the service’s next-generation aircraft for the TACAMO strategic communications mission. The handover took place at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta, Georgia, facility on 15 October, beginning a programme intended to replace the Boeing E-6B Mercury fleet.
The aircraft will be transferred to Northrop Grumman for integration of the mission systems, including Collins Aerospace’s very-low-frequency communications equipment. Once complete, the E-130J will provide a survivable, reliable and secure communications link between the US president, the secretary of defence, US Strategic Command and strategic forces.
The delivered airframe is not yet an operational E-130J. It must undergo mission-equipment installation, ground testing, developmental flight testing and operational evaluation before entering service. The Navy initially procured three C-130J-30 aircraft for programme development; current planning calls for a fleet of 31 E-130Js, comprising pre-production and production aircraft. No date has been given for the start of regular operations.