US Navy names next-gen TACAMO aircraft E-130J Phoenix II, replacing E-6B Mercury

The US Navy has officially named its next-generation Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission aircraft the E-130J Phoenix II, marking a new chapter in the service’s nuclear command and control capabilities.

The announcement was made by the US Navy’s Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) and Strategic Communications Wing 1 (SCW-1).

The “Phoenix II” name evokes the mythical bird that is reborn from its ashes, symbolizing “immortality, resurrection, and renewal,” qualities the Navy says reflect both the mission and the aircraft’s heritage. 

The designation follows the October 2024 decision to replace the placeholder “E-XX” with “E-130J.”

Replacing the E-6B Mercury 

The E-130J Phoenix II will take over the TACAMO role from the E-6B Mercury, which has been in service for more than 30 years.

The mission is a key component of the United States’ Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) system, providing a survivable link between the US president, secretary of defense, and US Strategic Command with Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. These submarines carry submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) capable of executing initial nuclear strikes in the event of a thermonuclear conflict.

Often referred to in media as a “Doomsday plane,” this type of aircraft is designed to operate as an airborne command post during a nuclear war or other catastrophic national emergency.

Such platforms are hardened against electromagnetic pulses (EMP), equipped with secure, long-range communications, and capable of staying airborne for extended periods through aerial refueling. Their purpose is to ensure that national leaders can maintain control over US strategic forces even if ground-based command centers are destroyed.

Why ‘Phoenix II’?

(Credit: Northrop Grumman)“Phoenix II is the ideal popular name as we take the E-130J TACAMO mission into its next phase,” said Captain Roger Davis, PMA-271 program manager. “A phoenix is known for its resilience, exceptionally long lifespan, and its ability to transform and continue its purpose.”

From 1963 to 1993, the EC-130Q performed the TACAMO mission before being succeeded by the current Boeing 707-based E-6B Mercury.

“I feel like Phoenix II is especially apt, as we are returning to our roots of executing the TACAMO mission on a C-130 variant, Captain Britt Windeler, commander of SCW-1, commented.

SCW-1 operates out of Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma and comprises three fleet air reconnaissance squadrons, each with a distinct identity and role within the TACAMO mission: the “Ironmen” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 3, the “Shadows” of VQ-4, and the “Roughnecks” of VQ-7.

Together, they provide round-the-clock, globally deployable crews and aircraft to ensure the survivability and reliability of the Navy’s strategic communications link with US nuclear forces.

Northrop Grumman to build the Phoenix II 

Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the program, which is based on the Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules. The company is investing more than $1 billion in digital engineering and manufacturing technologies to accelerate development, testing, and sustainment.

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“Our performance on Navy programs like the E-2D and E-6B prove we deliver on what we promise,” said Jane Bishop, Vice President and General Manager of Northrop Grumman’s Global Surveillance Division.The post US Navy names next-gen TACAMO aircraft E-130J Phoenix II, replacing E-6B Mercury appeared first on AeroTime.

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