Lockheed E-XX

EC-XX
Role	Airborne strategic command and control post
Manufacturer	Lockheed
Introduction	Late 2020s (planned)
Status	In development
Primary user	United States Navy
Developed from	EC-130J

Last updated March 18, 2024

The Lockheed E-XX is a planned United States Navy aircraft based on the EC-130J and intended to replace the Boeing E-6 Mercury in the TACAMO role, communicating with US nuclear ballistic missile submarines. The current E-6 aircraft were built in the late 1980s, and while they are expected to fly into the 2030s, the underlying platform is aging and support costs are increasing. Because of this, in 2020, the Navy began a program to develop a new platform. This program will take several years to complete, and the E-6 will continue to fulfill the role in the meantime.

Development

The US Department of Defense has relied on the Boeing 707 platform for decades, going back to the KC-135 in 1956 that technically predates the 707 itself, which did not fly until 1957. Boeing continued production of various military aircraft using the basic platform until the last E-6 Mercury aircraft were delivered in 1991. Since then, spare parts for the platform have gotten harder to find and operations have become more expensive.

By 2015, both the Air Force and Navy realized that they had to look ahead to new platforms to manage their nuclear arsenals in combat.^[1] The Air Force had already retired its KC-135-based EC-135C aircraft in 1998, turning over its Looking Glass mission to the Navy's E-6 fleet while continuing to fly the Boeing E-4 as the National Emergency Airborne Command Post. But the E-4, built in the 1970s and based on the Boeing 747-200, was also aging and in need of replacement.

For a few years, the Air Force and Navy considered a unified replacement that would move the E-6's combined TACAMO and Looking Glass mission to a single new aircraft run by both branches.^[2] In 2018, this program was envisioned to replace the E-4, E-6, and the C-32A (based on the Boeing 757 and often used as Air Force Two) with a single aircraft under the moniker NEAT (combining National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC), Executive Airlift, Airborne Command Post (ABNCP), Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO).^[3]

However, in December 2020 (Fiscal Year 2021), the US Navy announced that it awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin for the purchase of three EC-130J-30 Hercules aircraft to be used as testbeds for the TACAMO mission, signaling that the two branches would go in different directions.^[4] The aircraft were fully funded in FY2023. One aircraft is to be used for air vehicle testing while the other two are planned for mission systems testing, "allowing simultaneous mission system, flight and ground test, and correction of deficiencies." The aircraft selection represents a return to the C-130 platform by the Navy, which for years used the EC-130Q (an older variant despite the higher letter) for the TACAMO mission prior to adoption of the E-6 Mercury.

The selection of the C-130 platform, which is much smaller than the E-6, was surprising to some who expected something based on the larger P-8 Poseidon (based on the Boeing 737) or the much larger KC-46 Pegasus (based on the Boeing 767).^[5] The Navy has justified its decision based on the reduced mission, cost savings that come from commonality with other US military C-130 uses, and the ability to deploy to a much wider range of bases around the world. With the C-130's reduced runway requirements compared to any of the above jets and design features that emphasize austere and even rough-field capabilities, the E-XX's operations would become less predictable to adversaries.^[5]

The Navy envisions purchases of three production aircraft in FY2027 and another six in FY2028.^[6]

Funding

Since the FY2022 NDAA, Congress has appropriated over $400 million in development funds, including $48.6 million for the first contracts in 2022 and $502 million in 2023. The Navy requested substantially less funding in FY2024, asking for $213.7 million.^[7] As of the FY2024 funding request, the program is expected to cost $3.125 billion over the period from FY2022 through FY2028.^[8]

Design

Many details about the design have not been publicly released partially due to the classified nature of its mission but also because the project is still in development. The Navy described its mission in the FY2024 budget request:^[8]

The TACAMO mission provides an airborne capability for survivable, endurable and reliable airborne command, control and communications between the United States (U.S.) National Command Authority (NCA) and the U.S. strategic forces. This mission is critical in the deterrence and management of a nuclear conflict. A dedicated communications platform, TACAMO aircraft feature the ability to communicate on virtually every radio frequency band from very low frequency (VLF) up through advanced extremely high frequency (AEHF) using a variety of modulations, encryptions and networks, minimizing the likelihood an emergency message being jammed by an enemy.

The specific model selected, the EC-130J-30, is 15 ft (4.6 m) longer than the base model, providing more space for crew and equipment. Lockheed has presented an artist's conception of the aircraft that shows enlarged and extended landing gear fairings, multiple domes extending from the fuselage, and two wire antennas capable of extending from the rear of the aircraft.^[5]

Known planned capabilities include electromagnetic pulse (EMP) hardening and cybersecurity hardening, as well as an upgrade of the trailing wire communications system currently fielded on the E-6.^[8] This system extends a 5 mi (8.0 km) long wire from the tail of the aircraft to enable VLF communications with submerged submarines.^[5]

One notable mission change in the transition from the E-6 Mercury to the E-XX is the deletion of the capability to act as the Air Force Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) with the capability to communicate with nuclear bomber fleets and ICBM silos.^[9] At one time, the Boeing EC-135C Looking Glass fulfilled the ABNCP mission, but when it was retired by the Air Force in 1998, the E-6 took over. With the Air Force expecting to handle those duties using the planned Survivable Airborne Operations Center aircraft, that capability will no longer be needed aboard the Navy's TACAMO platform.^[5]

Related Research Articles

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medevac, and cargo transport aircraft. The versatile airframe has found uses in other roles, including as a gunship (AC-130), for airborne assault, search and rescue, scientific research support, weather reconnaissance, aerial refueling, maritime patrol, and aerial firefighting. It is now the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide. More than 40 variants of the Hercules, including civilian versions marketed as the Lockheed L-100, operate in more than 60 nations.

The Boeing E-6 Mercury is an airborne command post and communications relay based on the Boeing 707-300. The original E-6A manufactured by Boeing's defense division entered service with the United States Navy in July 1989, replacing the EC-130Q. This platform, now modified to the E-6B standard, conveys instructions from the National Command Authority to fleet ballistic missile submarines, a mission known as TACAMO.

TACAMO is a United States military system of survivable communications links designed to be used in nuclear warfare to maintain communications between the decision-makers and the triad of strategic nuclear weapon delivery systems. Its primary mission is serving as a signals relay, where it receives orders from a command plane such as Operation Looking Glass, and verifies and retransmits their Emergency Action Messages (EAMs) to US strategic forces. As it is a dedicated communications post, it features the ability to communicate on virtually every radio frequency band from very low frequency (VLF) up through super high frequency (SHF) using a variety of modulations, encryptions and networks, minimizing the likelihood an emergency message will be jammed by an enemy. This airborne communications capability largely replaced the land-based extremely low frequency (ELF) broadcast sites which became vulnerable to nuclear strike.

The Lockheed Martin EC-130 series comprises several slightly different versions of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules that have been and continue to be operated by the U.S. Air Force and, until the 1990s, the U.S. Navy.

The Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post (AACP), the current "Nightwatch" aircraft, is a strategic command and control military aircraft operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). The E-4 series are specially modified from the Boeing 747-200B for the National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP) program. The E-4 serves as a survivable mobile command post for the National Command Authority, namely the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, and successors. The four E-4Bs are operated by the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron of the 595th Command and Control Group located at Offutt Air Force Base, near Omaha, Nebraska. An E-4B when in action is denoted a "National Airborne Operations Center" and has been nicknamed the "Doomsday plane".

The EC-130H Compass Call is an electronic attack aircraft flown by the United States Air Force. Based on the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, the aircraft is heavily modified to disrupt enemy command and control communications, perform offensive counterinformation operations, and carry out other kinds of electronic attacks. Planned upgrades will add the ability to attack early warning and acquisition radars. Based at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona, EC-130Hs can be deployed worldwide at short notice to support U.S. and allied tactical air, surface, and special operations forces.

The Lockheed HC-130 is an extended-range, search and rescue (SAR)/combat search and rescue (CSAR) version of the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft, with two different versions operated by two separate services in the U.S. armed forces.

Doomsday plane is an unofficial denomination of a class of aircraft which is used as an airborne command post in an event of nuclear war, disaster or other large scale conflict that threatens key military and government infrastructure.

The Boeing EC-135 is a retired family of command and control aircraft derived from the Boeing C-135 Stratolifter. During the Cold War, the EC-135 was best known for being modified to perform the Looking Glass mission where one EC-135 was always airborne 24 hours a day to serve as flying command post for the Strategic Air Command in the event of nuclear war. Various other EC-135 aircraft sat on airborne and ground alert throughout the Cold War, with the last EC-135C being retired in 1998. The EC-135N variant served as the tracking aircraft for the Apollo program.

Looking Glass is the historic code name for an airborne command and control center operated by the United States. In more recent years it has been more officially referred to as the ABNCP. It provides command and control of U.S. nuclear forces in the event that ground-based command centers have been destroyed or otherwise rendered inoperable. In such an event, the general officer aboard the Looking Glass serves as the Airborne Emergency Action Officer (AEAO) and by law assumes the authority of the National Command Authority and could command execution of nuclear attacks. The AEAO is supported by a battle staff of approximately 20 people, with another dozen responsible for the operation of the aircraft systems. The name Looking Glass, which is another name for a mirror, was chosen for the Airborne Command Post because the mission operates in parallel with the underground command post at Offutt Air Force Base.

The 193rd Special Operations Wing is a unit of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, stationed at Harrisburg Air National Guard Base, Middletown, Pennsylvania. The wing is gained by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania when in a "state" status, as well as by the United States Air Force and Air Force Special Operations Command in its Federal capacity as part of the Air National Guard. The wing was organized as a group, the 193rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Group. Although it has never been mobilized as a unit, most of its equipment and personnel have been individually called up to serve in Southeast Asia and in Desert Storm.

The 4th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It operates Lockheed AC-130J aircraft providing special operations capabilities.

The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">7th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron</span> Military unit

The 7th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron is part of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. It operates the E-8 Joint STARS aircraft, conducting airborne command and control missions. The squadron has performed the airborne command and control mission since 1968, when it was activated in Vietnam. In 1985, the squadron was consolidated with three earlier units: The 7th Ferrying Squadron, which helped deliver aircraft to the Soviet Union from 1942 until 1944; the 7th Combat Cargo Squadron, which performed combat airlift missions in the Southwest Pacific Theater from 1944 until V-J Day, then became part of the Occupation Forces in Japan until inactivating in 1948; and the 7th Air Transport Squadron, Special, which provided airlift support for the United States' special weapons program from 1954 to 1966.

The Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) provides a survivable launch capability for the United States Air Force's LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force. The ALCS is operated by airborne missileers from Air Force Global Strike Command's (AFGSC) 625th Strategic Operations Squadron (STOS) and United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). The system is located on board the United States Navy's E-6B Mercury, which serves as USSTRATCOM's "Looking Glass" Airborne Command Post (ABNCP). The ALCS crew is integrated into the ABNCP battle staff and is on alert around the clock.

The United States Air Force's 2d Airborne Command and Control Squadron was an airborne command and control unit located at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The squadron was an integral part of the United States' Post Attack Command and Control System, performing the Operation Looking Glass mission with the Boeing EC-135 aircraft.

Strategic Communications Wing 1 is a nuclear command and control wing of the United States Navy. Its TACAMO mission provides airborne communications links to nuclear missile units of United States Strategic Command. It is located at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 3 (VQ-3), nicknamed the Ironmen, is a naval aviation squadron of the United States Navy based at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The squadron flies the Boeing E-6B Mercury airborne command post and communications relay aircraft. It is part of the Navy's TACAMO community, whose mission is to enable the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense to directly communicate with U.S. submarines, bombers, and missile silos during a nuclear war.

Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 4 (VQ-4), nicknamed the Shadows, is a naval aviation squadron of the United States Navy based at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The squadron flies the Boeing E-6B Mercury airborne command post and communications relay aircraft. It is part of the U.S. Navy's TACAMO community, whose mission is to enable the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense to directly communicate with U.S. submarines, bombers, and missile silos during a nuclear war.

The Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) is a United States Air Force program to develop a replacement for the E-4 National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC), a strategic command-and-control military aircraft used as a mobile command post for the National Command Authority in emergency situations. The current E-4 platforms were built in the 1970s, the airframes are reaching the end of their operational lifespans and support costs are increasing. Because of this, in 2019, the USAF began a program to develop a new platform. This program will take several years to complete, and the E-4s will continue to fulfill the role in the meantime.

References

↑ Hitchens, Theresa (14 February 2020). "Air Force To Kick Off E-4B Replacement Competition In 2021". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
↑ Mehta, Aaron (8 March 2017). "US Navy to work with Air Force on E-6B replacement". Defense News. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
↑ Martin, Jeff (24 October 2018). "US Air Force may replace 3 types of aircraft with a single platform". Defense News. Archived from the original on 3 August 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
↑ Jennings, Gareth (21 December 2020). "US Navy to field C-130J-30 in nuclear communications role". Janes.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
1 2 3 4 5 Newdick, Thomas (5 April 2022). "This Is Our First Look At The Navy's Next 'Doomsday Plane,' The EC-130J TACAMO". The Drive. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
↑ Hersey, Linda (31 July 2023). "Contract award date changed for EXX-TACAMO weapon system". Inside Defense. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
↑ Losey, Stephen (3 April 2023). "Northrop, Lockheed, Raytheon team up on Navy's E-XX 'doomsday' plane". Defense News. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
1 2 3 "Department of Defense Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget Estimates, Navy Justification Book Volume 3 of 5, Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Navy" (PDF). United States Navy. March 2023. pp. 1515–1525. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
↑ Newdick, Thomas (4 April 2023). "Navy Drops Air Force's Mission From Its Next 'Doomsday Plane'". The Drive. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] Hitchens, Theresa (14 February 2020). "Air Force To Kick Off E-4B Replacement Competition In 2021". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.

[2] Mehta, Aaron (8 March 2017). "US Navy to work with Air Force on E-6B replacement". Defense News. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2023.

[3] Martin, Jeff (24 October 2018). "US Air Force may replace 3 types of aircraft with a single platform". Defense News. Archived from the original on 3 August 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2023.

[4] Jennings, Gareth (21 December 2020). "US Navy to field C-130J-30 in nuclear communications role". Janes.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.

[:1-5] 1 2 3 4 5 Newdick, Thomas (5 April 2022). "This Is Our First Look At The Navy's Next 'Doomsday Plane,' The EC-130J TACAMO". The Drive. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.

[6] Hersey, Linda (31 July 2023). "Contract award date changed for EXX-TACAMO weapon system". Inside Defense. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.

[7] Losey, Stephen (3 April 2023). "Northrop, Lockheed, Raytheon team up on Navy's E-XX 'doomsday' plane". Defense News. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.

[:0-8] 1 2 3 "Department of Defense Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget Estimates, Navy Justification Book Volume 3 of 5, Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Navy" (PDF). United States Navy. March 2023. pp. 1515–1525. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.

[9] Newdick, Thomas (4 April 2023). "Navy Drops Air Force's Mission From Its Next 'Doomsday Plane'". The Drive. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]