The Naval Air Systems Command issued a request for proposals for the Take Charge And Move Out (TACAMO) Recapitalization (E-XX) Program on September 21, using a modified Lockheed Martin [LMT] C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft.
This solicitation covers the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) contract, and options for system demonstration test articles (SDTA) and the first two production lots, a September 14 notice said.
The solicitation for E-XX was only available for courier pickup to offerors meeting requirements because while the overall solicitation is unclassified, it contains attachments at various classified and controlled levels.
This program seeks to procure a new cost-effective TACAMO-only nuclear command, control and communications (NC3) aircraft, referred to as E-XX, to replace the current E-6B Mercury TACAMO fleet. The Navy said it hopes this procurement will allow the current E-6B fleet to “perform other critical missions until sundown.”
The TACAMO mission aircraft connects the president and Secretary of Defense with Navy nuclear ballistic missile forces during a crisis and performs the airborne command post mission to aid launching of land-based nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles via an airborne launch control system.
Notably, the E-XX program solicitation seeks prime contractors that can integrate government-defined TACAMO mission systems including the Collins Aerospace [RTX] Very Low Frequency subsystems into a government-furnished C-130J-30 aircraft.
Regardless of the contract winner, the government decided the E-XX aircraft will be the modified Super Hercules transport aircraft, previously selected by the Navy.
The notice said the solicitation wants proposals to cover EMD and production phases. The EMD phase including design, develop, integrate, deliver and test up to six E-XX aircraft, divided into three EDMs and three SDTAs.
The production phase will have the winner deliver two lots of production aircraft and associated devices, equipment, support and maintenance.
The Navy said Collins Aerospace and Lockheed Martin are directed to be subcontractors under the effort, regardless of the final prime contract winner.
The notice said the contract is expected to be awarded October 2024, but delivery dates for E-XX aircraft are classified.
In June, the Navy accepted the first E-6B TACAMO upgraded by Northrop Grumman [NOC to the BLock II configuration], with several more expected to be overhauled by 2027. The company is under contract to upgrade the current TACAMO aircraft to Block II, which includes six major modifications to improve command, control and communications functions (Defense Daily, June 6).
Last year, the Navy said it was working to replace corroded spar chords on E-6Bs, an issue missed during an earlier round of E-6 service life extension. Once those parts are replaced, the aircrafts’ service lives were extended from 25,000 to 48,000 flight hours. Those modifications mean the E-6B TACAMOs are expected to serve into the late 2030s (Defense Daily, Feb. 2, 2022).