Navy E6 Aircraft - E-6 aircrew training is accomplished by Contract Flight Crew Training System (CFCTS) and is accomplished at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. CFCTS provides program management, flight crew instruction, system operation and maintenance, and engineering services in support of the Naval Training Support Unit (NTSU).
CFCTS equipment consists of two Operational Flight Trainers (OFTs), Academic Training System (ATS) and two In Flight Trainer (IFT) TC-18F aircraft. Provisions for the two trailing wire antennas, one extending from below the mid-fuselage and the other from the tail cone, are among the obvious
Navy E6 Aircraft
changes. Enlarged wing tip pods for special electronic equipment are also available fitted. Not obvious are the structural changes required to carry the heavy communications systems in the aft fuselage and the increased level of electromagnetic
Command Post Modification
pulse and nuclear blast hardening over that already incorporated in the E-3s. The UHF C3 Radio Subsystem adds three UHF transceivers that support 1,000 watt full-duplex transmissions using amplitude modulation (AM) or frequency modulation. It provides: UHF frequency division multiplex (FDM) (3 full-duplex groups of 15 channels each), ALCS, conventional UHF AM line of sight (3 half-duplex channels), and/or Fleet satellite communication (SATCOM) phase shift keying
(1 receive-only channel). The speculation was that the two nuclear command centers took to the skies over both coasts early Friday morning after learning that the President had contracted the virus. The chat on Twitter was that the airborne command posts were deployed to warn America's adversaries after news broke about President Trump contracting COVID-19.
In the TACAMO role, the E-6 flies independent random operations from various deployed sites for approximately 15 day intervals. Each deployed crew will be self-supporting except for fuel and perishables. The mission requires a 24-hour commitment of resources (alert posture) in the Atlantic and Pacific regions.
CFCTS provides ground training to pilots, navigators and flight engineers for initial qualification, refresher, instructor basic and upgrade, instrument ground school and basic flight engineer, utilizing instructor-based training, computer-based training and the OFTs. Flight training of the pilots (transition and in flight refueling) is accomplished in the TC-18F IFTs utilizing Navy instructor pilots and Navy and contractor instructor flight engineers.
Orbit Improvement Program
The United States Navy has a fleet of 16 E-6s and typically has at least one of them in the air at all times. It is also not uncommon to see two or three in the air at the same time.
However, what was strange this time was that they had their transponders turned on to let people know they were out there rather than wanting to remain dark. Subsequent to a year of in-depth analysis under Navy tasking, Raytheon E-Systems (RESY) is designing the E-6B Command Post Modification that will provide performance improvements and avionics enhancements for the E-6A Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) aircraft
. The E-6B program has been established to upgrade TACAMO operational capabilities and cross-deck a subset of the Strategic Command's (STRATCOM's) EC-135 Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) equipment to the E-6A aircraft. The modified aircraft (E-6B) will be capable of performing both the TACAMO and ABNCP missions.
The E-6B Command Post Modification will enable STRATCOM to perform current and projected TACAMO and ABNCP operational tasking, using the dual mission E-6B, effectively and reliably through the twenty-first century. RESY will perform integration and installation of several systems into the E-
E- Mercury Tacamo
6 aircraft: Following Boeing's prototype four-jet transport, widely publicized as the first of the 707 series, the Air Force ordered the first production models as KC-135 tanker transports. Much modified and adapted, these still served the Air Force, and two were transferred to the Navy in the late 1970s
for use in the electronics support role. Similar in appearance, but considerably redesigned, the first 707-120 airline transports rolled off Boeing's production lines in 1957. By the time these were in service, the larger 707-320 series
was following, designed for long range transoceanic service. Both models soon received turbofan engines in place of their original jets. The Navy's E-6A is the final derivative of the 707-320 series to be added to the production
line, joining its better known E-3A Sentry AWACS (airborne warning and control system) predecessor. The E-6 is derived from the Boeing 707-320 commercial airliner. The E-6B's modified design incorporates a battle staff area and new flight deck systems including a 737 next generation cockpit.
About The Boeing E- Mercury
The wing features a dog-tooth leading edge and trilateral tips. It is equipped with a very low frequency communication system consisting of dual trailing wire antennas. East Coast Alert * Patuxent River, MD The Time/Frequency Standards Distribution System replaces the existing TACAMO time standard, providing retrieval and distribution of the accurate universal coordinated time from the global positioning system.
Time of day, one-pulse-per-second, and precision 5 megahertz reference signals are distributed to very low frequency (VLF) and UHF communications equipment to provide accurate reference timing. The first 707-320 series to join the military took on the duties of
the presidential aircraft as "Air Force One" in 1962, two joining several earlier 707-120s in the VC-137 series. Ten years later, the two prototypes for what would become the E-3 were also designated in this series.
In addition to the large radome mounted on struts above the aft fuselage, similar to that on the prototypes, many detail modifications were made to the 707-320B airframe for the subsequent production E-3As. Particular attention was paid to harden the airframe against the effect of electromagnetic
The E- Mercury Is A Control And Command Center
radiation and nuclear blasts. Updated E-3s serve the Air Force, NATO, and other countries, and are still being produced today. The maintenance concept is "O" to "D" for most components, with Contractor Logistic Support (CLS) from Boeing, Seattle.
There is limited "I" level support for mission equipment, and is expected to go away with the introduction of new mission avionics. Under the Integrated Maintenance Concept, as much as possible, airframe work done in the field;
CLS for airframe and flight deck avionics and Navy support for mission avionics. West Coast alert * Travis AFB, CA Journalist - Mark is an experienced travel journalist having published work in the industry for more than seven years.
His enthusiasm for aviation news and wealth of experience lends itself to some excellent insight, with his work cited in Forbes among other publications. Based in Alicante, Spain. The airborne command post was modified by Raytheon E-Systems.
The E-6 is equipped with advanced communications and command and control systems. The ALCS uses ultra-high-frequency command and control (C3) radios to determine missile status and change missile assignments. The on-board UHF C3 radio subsystem includes three UHF transceivers.
Depot level maintenance is performed in squadron spaces during routine O-level maintenance. No change of custody, reduced disassembly duplication (if an area is opened for O-level maintenance it is not re-opened by D-level), D-level artisan assists and trains O-level technician, spacing of D-level opportunities is
months, not years. Up front investment is large because maintainers must anticipate available parts prior to induction. The process results in 365 days additional operating time every 5 years. Cost analysis showed that not transferring custody of aircraft to depot saves $78 million over the life of the program.
This program gives greater visibility of the health of the airframe and, due to frequent access, provides opportunities to prevent high cost problems from developing. Based on the study results, the TACAMO replacement program got under
way; the first two of a planned purchase of 16 were ordered in 1984. Unusual was the concept that major components of the communications systems in squadron EC-130s would be removed and reinstalled in the E-6As as they were completed.
Many features of the E-3 airframe were retained, including the in-flight refueling receptacle for the flying boom refueling system located at the top of the fuselage aft of the cockpit. A forward cargo door, as on commercial
air freight transports, was installed for purposes of transporting major spare components to remote sites. The aircraft is deployed in TACAMO missions. TACAMO connects the National Command Authority with naval ballistic missile forces during emergency operations.
The E-6 provides uninterrupted airborne alert coverage of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The E-6A had its beginnings in studies at the Naval Air Development Center, Warminster, Pa., looking for an expanded capability airframe for the TACAMO role.
Among several turbofan-powered jet transports, the basic Boeing 707-320B was particularly attractive because of the availability of the hardened E-3A airframe in production. Higher bypass ratio, more fuel Efficient GE-SNECMA CFM 56 engines were being retrofitted to various first-generation,
four-jet commercial transports and would enhance the performance of a TACAMO version. Space and weight-carrying capability would accommodate the various communications systems of the EC-130 TACAMO aircraft, including the long trailing very low frequency antenna and its extension/retraction system.
The Boeing E-6 Mercury is a command post and communications relay aircraft manufactured by Boeing for the US Navy. The aircraft relays communications for ballistic missile submarine forces and provides airborne command and control for strategic forces.
The Navy introduced the E-6 to replace its EC-130Q aircraft The High Power Transmit Set replaces the existing 200 kilowatt VLF High Power Amplifier and Dual Trailing Wire Assembly, providing increased capabilities (including low frequency transmission spectrum) with significant reliability and operability improvements.
Emphasis in the design and operation of most of today's new Navy aircraft is on multimission capability. One exception, by designation and intended role, might seem to be the Boeing E-6A. Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadrons (VQs) 3 and 4 operate E-6As in the same manner as their EC-130s - as TACAMO
(take charge and move out) communications platforms serving as command links to the fleet ballistic missile submarine force. NTSU provides Airborne Communications Officer (ACO) and Aircrew (TACAMO Operator, Inflight Technician, Reel Operator) ground training. NTSU also provides squadron personnel Organizational ("O") level maintenance training on the E-6 aircraft and all subsystems and "O" and Intermediate ("I") level training on the Mission Avionics System (MAS) equipment.
The Military Strategic Tactical And Relay (MILSTAR) airborne terminal system along with the MILSTAR satellite system provides high frequency/super high-frequency/ultra high-frequency communication links. The mission computer system handles and processes information. The TACAMO airplanes support the Navy's ballistic missile submarine force, providing a vital link to the force from national command authorities.
The TACAMO E-6B airplanes are equipped with dual trailing wires that serve as transmitter and antenna, transmitting in the very low frequency spectrum. Boeing rolled out the E-6A in December 1986. It completed its maiden flight in February 1987 and was accepted by the Navy in August 1989. The E-6B, a modified version of the E-6A, came into service in December 1997.
It was deployed in a dual operational mission in October 1998. The existing E-6 fleet was modified to the E-6B configuration in 2003 and delivered in December 2006. Problems arose with Standard Level Depot Maintenance (SDLM) cycle due to too many aircraft out of service at one time for modification over the 60 month initial estimated Operating Service Period.
SDLM requires 8 to 18 months out of service time. APML issued challenges in Jan 1992 to evaluate alternatives, minimize down time. This increased on site maintenance, send depot field teams out, mandatory depot only tasks.
The option selected was combination of SDLM tasks performed in conjunction with phase maintenance with depot field team augmentation of squadron phase crew: With the Navy order for TACAMO versions of the 707-320B airframe, the E-6A designation was assigned for these airframes, to be built on the E-3A
line. At the same time, C-18 series and E-8A designations were assigned to ex-airline 707-320Bs purchased and modified as test aircraft, both for airborne range instrumentation duties and the JSTARS (joint surveillance target attack radar) program.
The former, as EC-18Bs, feature a bulbous nose radome, while the latter carries an elongated under-fuselage radome for a multimode side-looking radar. The new flight profiles and structural characteristics that the E-6A introduced to the 707-320 airframe did result in some unanticipated development
challenges. Their resolution will provide the necessary survivable strategic command link to the submarine-launched leg of the strategic nuclear triad well into the future. Besides the command link to the ballistic missile submarines, the E-6A TACAMO aircraft is involved in a joint mission, to
provide the vital communication link from the National Command Authority (NCA) to all strategic forces. By 1998, after completion of extensive modifications, it will also provide an Airborne Command Post for United States Command in Chief for Strategic Forces (USINCSTRAT) and theater CINCs.
Specifications Primary Function Airborne command post for fleet ballistic missile submarines Contractor Boeing Unit Cost $141.7 million Propulsion Four CFM-56-2A-2 High bypass turbofans Length 150 feet, 4 inches (45.8 meters) Wingspan 148 feet, 4 inches (45.2 meters)
Height 42 feet 5 inches (12.9 meters) Weight Max gross, take-off: 341,000 pounds (153,900 kg) Ceiling Above 40,000 feet Speed 522 knots, 600 miles (960 km) per hour Crew 14 Range 6,600 nautical miles (7,590 statute miles, 12,144 km) with 6 hours loiter time
Armament None Looking into it more in-depth, we can see that the Navy's E6s fly all the time and often with their transponders turned on. This means that the Strategic Command told the truth and that the two planes were on regular training missions.
It is easy to see why people would jump to conclusions, and I am sure the United States has a backup plan should the President become very ill. As a part of Operation Looking Glass, which is today called "Airborne Command Post" (ABNCP) - the aircraft are used to provide instructions to America's nuclear forces should ground-based operations or command centers be destroyed or inoperable.
The Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) operates through the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Communications, Command and Control (C3) radios, enabling the E-6B to function as an Airborne Launch Control Center. The ALCS system allows determination of missile status in silos, launch, or change in missile assignments.
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