E-130J
Northrop Grumman won a $3.46 billion contract Dec. 18 to supply Lockheed Martin E-130Js to the U.S. Navy fleet dedicated to supporting nuclear-armed submarines.
The contract for the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) Recapitalization program calls for Northrop to deliver the first three engineering and manufacturing aircraft based on the stretched C-130J-30 airframe and equipped with the Collins Aerospace Very Low Frequency (VLF) antenna.
Collins and Lockheed will report to Northrop as subcontractors under the contract, the Defense Department said in a news release.
Northrop currently sustains the Boeing 707-based E-6B Mercury fleet, which the E-130Js will replace.
“We will bring this expertise in helping the Navy deliver the E-130J on time and optimized for this strategically important mission,” Jane Bishop, Northrop vice president and general manager, said in a statement.
The VLF antenna consists of an about 5-mi.-long wire that must be rolled out and reeled in by the host aircraft. The antenna transmits messages to nuclear-armed submarines deep under water, allowing them to receive updates during a mission without needing to surface and revealing their position.
Related Content
