Northrop Grumman to Modify E-6B Communications

Northrop Grumman has announced that it has been awarded a contract by the US Navy to integrate high-speed, secure communications and networking systems on an E-6B Mercury aircraft. The company announced the contract, worth $44.3 million, 26 June 2012.

The contract is part of the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) strategic communications relay mission. The Block II Modification will enable the E-6B aircraft to connect to secure US Department of Defence networks at high data rates while still in flight, and will allow users on board the aircraft to access mission-essential, near-real-time information from worldwide sources without impacting the operational performance of the aircraft.


US Navy E-6B TACAMO aircraft provide survivable and reliable airborne command, control and communications between the president of the United States, secretary of Defence, and US strategic and nonstrategic forces.

According to the company, Northrop Grumman will design and produce networking and communications systems, first integrating the systems into the E-6B Systems Integration Laboratory and then on a single E-6B aircraft. The company will also provide testing, logistics and training to support operational fielding. The US Navy intends to field the enhanced capability to the entire fleet of E-6B aircraft through a follow-on contract.