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2023-07-10
NGC Hands Over First Upgraded E-6B to U.S. Navy
Northrop Grumman Corporation recently announced that the first E-6B Mercury Aircraft was successfully delivered back to the U.S. Navy. The delivery was made under the Integrated Modification and Maintenance Contract (IMMC) back to the Navy in record time. The company’s technology-infused approach to modernisation led to completing the first modification effort in approximately one year, helping to reduce the span of future modifications to six months.
Five kits were successfully integrated onto the E-6B platform, implementing efficiencies and improving aircraft command, control and communications functions.
Scott Pfeiffer, vice president, platform sustainment and mission readiness, Northrop Grumman, said: “Northrop Grumman is leveraging cutting-edge technology in modernisation, supporting the Navy’s mission to provide survivable, reliable and endurable airborne command, control and communications between the National Command Authority (NCA) and U.S. strategic and nonstrategic forces for persistent mission readiness.”
Northrop Grumman was awarded the IMMC for the Navy’s E-6B Mercury platform, a derivative of the commercial Boeing 707 aircraft, in February 2022. The work was performed at Northrop Grumman’s Aircraft Maintenance and Fabrication Centre in Lake Charles.
As part of the critical Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) strategic communications mission, the E-6B operates across a wide frequency spectrum to transmit and receive secure, non-secure voice and data information. The aircraft provides survivable, reliable and endurable airborne command, control and communications in support of the President, Secretary of Defence and United States Strategic Command.
The second aircraft has already arrived in Lake Charles, and capability upgrades, integrations, and tests on the aircraft are underway. Over the next several years, Northrop Grumman will continue to perform these modifications to the Navy’s E-6B aircraft, improving command, control and communications functions that connect the NCA with the United States’ nuclear triad.
The company will establish a consolidated production line for core modifications required under the US$111 million contract.
The company will establish a consolidated production line for core modifications required under the US$111 million contract.
“The delivery of the first IMMC aircraft is a monumental achievement,” said Bob Stailey, the E-6B deputy program manager for the Airborne Strategic Command, Control, and Communications Program Office (PMA-271), which awarded and manages the maintenance contract. “We are delivering enhanced capabilities to the fleet quicker and ensuring they have the tools to successfully execute this critical mission for years to come.”
Replacement for EC-135 Fleet
Boeing derived the E-6A from its commercial 707 to replace the ageing EC-130Q in the performance of the Navy’s TACAMO mission. TACAMO links the NCA with naval ballistic missile forces during times of crisis. The aircraft carries a very low-frequency communication system with dual trailing wire antennas.
The E-6B was conceived as a replacement for the U.S. Air Force’s Airborne Command Post due to the age of the EC-135 fleet. The E-6B modified an E-6A by adding battle staff positions and other specialised equipment. The E-6B is a dual-mission aircraft capable of fulfilling either the TACAMO mission or the airborne strategic command post mission and is equipped with an airborne launch control system (ALCS). The ALCS is capable of launching U.S. land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. The first E-6B aircraft was accepted in December 1997, and the E-6B assumed its dual operational mission in October 1998. The E-6 fleet was completely modified to the E-6B configuration in 2003.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defence technology company. Its pioneering solutions equip customers with the capabilities to connect and protect the world. It provides sustainment and modernisation support that includes contractor logistics support and fleet stewardship; modifications and upgrades; mission planning, weapon systems development and pilot training; as well as software design engineering and integration solutions on autonomous, tactical, fixed wing and special mission aircraft systems, including: F-35 Lightning II; P-3 Orion; BACN E-11A; E-8C; A-10 Thunderbolt II; B-2 Spirit; RQ-4 Global Hawk and more.
This contract continues the company’s expansive growth in aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade.
This contract continues the company’s expansive growth in aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade.
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