The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has announced that the Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) and the Strategic Communications Wing 1 (SCW-1) have officially named the new E-130J aircraft for the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission as Phoenix II.
The Lockheed Martin E-130J, which will replace the E-6B Mercury fleet in the TACAMO mission, is now named Phoenix II.
Named Phoenix II symbolizes rebirth and immortality, referencing the historic C-130 platform that carried out the TACAMO mission from 1963 to 1993 with the EC-130Q.
Phoenix II was considered the ideal designation for the mission carried out by the E-130J TACAMO, highlighting its resilience, longevity, and capacity for transformation.
The Transformation of the Super Hercules for the TACAMO Mission
PMA-271 has transformed the Super Hercules platform to ensure high survival and longevity, following the ideals of TACAMO’s critical deterrence mission.
The E-130J Phoenix II, an upgraded and modernized platform, will provide an important link for aerial nuclear communications between the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the United States Strategic Command, replacing the now outdated E-6B Mercury in service for three decades.
As part of this project, Northrop Grumman Corporation was chosen as the lead contractor to provide nuclear command, control, and communication aircraft (_NC3_) for the US Navy’s TACAMO mission.
In December 2020, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) TACAMO Program Office awarded basic contracts to Lockheed Martin Corporation for efforts associated with the procurement of a maximum of three C-130J-30 “Stretch” cells in FY22/23 for testing and analysis.
Source and image credit: Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
