The company was awarded a $3.5 billion contract by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on 18 December following a competitive source selection. Northrop Grumman was selected as E-130J TACAMO prime contractor over a rival bid led by RTX’s Collins Aerospace.
The TACAMO mission, currently delivered by the E-6B Mercury nuclear command, control and communications aircraft, is designed to provide survivable, reliable and endurable airborne command, control and communications between the National Command Authority and US nuclear forces. The TACAMO Recapitalization Program – previously known as E-XX – will replace the E-6B with a customized variant of the Lockheed Martin C-130-J-30 airlifter hosting a Very Low Frequency (VLF) communications system.
Under the terms of the contract, Northrop Grumman will take responsibility for integrating the TACAMO mission systems, including the VLF transmit system, into government-furnished C-130J-30 air vehicles delivered by Lockheed Martin. The scope of supply covers three Engineering Development Models (EDMs) plus options for up to three System Demonstration Test Articles and up to six aircraft in the first production lot.
The E-130J acquisition effort is being led by the Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) within NAVAIR’s Program Executive Office for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs. PMA-271 released a request for proposals in September 2023 for a prime contractor to integrate mature, government-defined TACAMO mission systems (including the VLF subsystem) into government-furnished C-130J-30 aircraft. The full scope of the integration task additionally includes integration of a secure interface communications system between the cockpit and the mission payload section; ensuring safety of flight critical flight deck avionics systems will meet nuclear and cyber survivability requirements; and implementing automated flight control system updates.
Northrop Grumman’s E-130J TACAMO industry team comprises Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Raytheon, Crescent Systems Inc, and Long Wave Inc. Collins Aerospace (VLF transmit system) and Lockheed Martin (air vehicle) are directed subcontractors to support integration and airworthiness.
In a statement, Northrop Grumman said it has invested more than $1 billion in digital engineering and manufacturing capabilities that will assist in rapidly designing, building, testing and sustaining the E-130J. It added:
“The [E-130J] effort will incorporate Northrop Grumman’s technology leadership in advanced manufacturing, agile design, digital engineering and weapon system integration expertise to take advantage of Day One readiness across the Northrop Grumman-led industry team.”
Lockheed Martin has already begun assembly of the first C-130J-30 for the TACAMO Recapitalization Program at its Marietta, Georgia, plant. This aircraft – as the first of three – is slated to be delivered to the government in 2026 for modification into an E-130J EDM. Changes required to allow the baseline C-130J-30 to accommodate the TACAMO mission payload include VLF antenna integration, electromagnetic pulse hardening, cyber hardening, augmented power generation, and increased cooling capacity.
Collins Aerospace, as original equipment manufacturer, will be responsible for delivering the VLF subsystem to the E-130J program. Hardware development includes modernization of legacy E-6B High Power Transmit System power amplifier and trailing wire antenna assembly hardware for increased performance, improved reliability and maintainability, reduced weight and volume, and lower life cycle costs.
NAVAIR describes the E-130J as “a critical part of the United States’ nuclear modernization program, which [also] 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”. It added: “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.”
The US Navy’s FY2025 budget request called for the procurement of six TACAMO aircraft in FY2028, and a further six in FY2029. However, NAVAIR’s announcement did not provide details of projected E-130J numbers, or planned in-service date.
