Defence`s Feeds

Australian company Quickstep announced on 9 October plans to streamline its board of directors in line with its continuing restructuring. The firm, a specialist in advanced composites, said three of its non-executive directors (Nigel Ampherlaw, Peter Cook, and Errol McCormack) are retiring and will

Saab signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Thai industrial estate developer Amata on 5 October to study areas of industry and technology collaboration. The MOU is in support of Saab’s potential involvement in Amata’s plans to create a ‘smart city’ and an aerospace

Key Points The Swedish Army’s new Mjolner twin 120 mm mortar system is expected to undergo firing trials Forty Swedish Army CV90 infantry fighting vehicles will be equipped with the Mjolner system BAE Systems Hagglunds is set to conduct manned firing trials of a prototype/demonstrator of

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral John Richardson approved the requirements on 3 October for a future frigate to replace the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), officials told Jane’s . With the CNO’s approval, the US Navy (USN) is now cleared to seek requests for proposals (RFPs) for the

Lockheed Martin has developed a new flexible solar array that delivers 50% more power than legacy arrays at 30% less mass, according to a company statement. Lockheed Martin recently completed the first flight build of its new Multi-Mission Modular Solar Array, which advances the company’s

The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) were preparing on 6 October to leave their homeport in Mayport, Florida, to sail to the United State's Gulf Coast to help the region in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Nate, which is projected

Bankrupt Serbian defence and heavy vehicle manufacturer IMK 14 Oktobar is to be acquired by Czech-owned company Czechoslovak Group (CSG), the company has announced. Following the approval of IMK 14 Oktobar’s creditors and the Serbian Bankruptcy Supervision Agency, ownership of the company was

Indonesia displayed several new platforms during a 5 October military parade held in the coastal city of Cilegon, Banten Province, to mark the 72nd anniversary of its armed forces. Among the platforms shown were an AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter and a prototype of the Kaplan MT Modern

On 11 October, SEDE will discuss the recently adopted UN Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Rooted in serious humanitarian concerns and frustration with slow progress of nuclear disarmament, according to its supporters, the Treaty represents an important milestone in multilateral disarmament efforts, as it sets up a number of norms that build upon the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and contributes to a renewed progress on nuclear arms reduction towards their eventual elimination.
Further information
Draft agenda and meeting documents
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Americas

• Pratt & Whitney has landed a $2.7 billion US Air Force contract for F-117 engine sustainment support. Awarded Wednesday, work will take place at United Airlines, San Francisco, California; Columbus Engine Center, Columbus, Georgia; and Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, with a scheduled completion date of Sept. 30, 2022. Foreign military sales are also covered in the deal, with the UK, Canada, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, India, Australia and Strategic Airlift Capability all listed as recipients for services.

• A team from the US Marine Corps have tested small 3D-printed drones in order to demonstrate their flexibility and usefulness to troops in the field. Supplied by the US Army Research Laboratory, the additive-manufactured vehicles can be produced quickly and en route to combat situations. Troops will be able to select an SUAS from catalogue of drones provided by researchers that is tailored to fit the needs of their mission, download information on the aircraft, and then 3D-print its parts before constructing a bespoke drone, all within 24 hours. The testing took place in late September at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

• Lockheed Martin and Rockwell Collins have both received USAF contracts ($81 and $76 million respectively) for the technology maturation and risk reduction phase of the Airborne Launch Control System Replacement (ALCS-R) program—the development of an airborne command-and-control system that makes it possible for the USAF to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile even if launch control centers on the ground are destroyed. The program will support intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) operations until 2075, meaning it will work with both the current Minuteman III system and its eventual replacement, the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, which will come online in the late 2020s. During ALCS-R, the service intends to replace all of the airborne mission equipment onboard the 16 E-6B Mercury aircraft equipped with the current ALCS system, as well as ground-based radios in 450 launch-control centers, which haven’t been updated since the 1960s.

Middle East & Africa

• The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is procuring one additional Gulfstream G550 business jet for special missions, according to a senior service official. The service currently uses two variants of the G550—the Eitam and Shavit— which are tasked as an airborne early warning and control system, and communications/electronic intelligence-gather respectively. With the current assets aged between 10 and 12 years, the new aircraft will be equipped with upgraded systems offering enhanced performance, however, its exact mission set was not confirmed.

Europe

• Norwegian defense firm Kongsberg expects to conduct the final flight test (FTM-5) of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) in the spring. The Norwegian Defense Ministry said the test, the program’s sixth, will take place in March 2018, bringing to an end a two-year flight-test campaign to qualify the missile for integration on Norway’s planned fleet of F-35A Joint Strike Fighters. The final flight test will be the first end-to-end test for the missile, and will see a JSM equipped with a live warhead and launched from a legacy F-16C/D Fighting Falcon from the US Air Force’s 445th Flight Test Group against a ‘realistic’ land target at the Utah Test and Training Range in the United States.

• Four nations have entered bids to supply Croatia with 18 aircraft for its MiG-21 fighter replacement program. Now, Zagreb will decide on whether to purchase new or secondhand Lockheed Martin F-16s, offered by the US, Israel and Greece, or buy Saab JAS-39 Gripens from Sweden. Commenting on the received bids, the defense ministry said it will conduct a detailed evaluation and validation process, expected to be wrapped up in two months, and key parameters for selection aside from the characteristics and capabilities of the aircraft, will include: intergovernmental contract, price, and the business-economic cooperation package. Croatia is once of several governments in the region at various stages of pursuing new fighter aircraft with Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria all being wooed by defense firms.

Asia Pacific

• The sale of 56 AIM-120C-7 air-to-air missiles to Japan has been cleared by the US State Department. Valued at an estimated $113 million, the sale also includes containers, weapon support and support equipment, spare and repair parts, US Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. Raytheon will deliver the munitions to Tokyo after production at its plant in Tucson, Arizona.

• The Australian prime minister has announced the selection of Saab’s 9LV Combat Management System for integration on the future frigates, upgraded Air Warfare Destroyers, and selected offshore patrol vessels of the Royal Australian Navy. While no official order has been placed for the systems, Saab welcomed the decision, calling it an “endorsement of the advanced combat system capabilities we have developed for the RAN,” adding that they “look forward to working closely with the Australian Defense Force to deliver highly capable systems for the Future Frigates and other platforms.” Saab’s 9LV naval combat system provides C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence) for every type of naval platform, ranging from combat boats and patrol boats, to frigates and aircraft carriers, and other vessels.

Today’s Video

• Bell V-280 Valor turn its rotors for the first time:

E-6B TACAMO
(click to view full)

The USA’s E-6 Mercury (aka. TACAMO, as in TAke Charge And Move Out) “survivable airborne communication system” airplanes support their Navy’s SSBN ballistic missile submarine force and overall strategic forces. With the advent of the new “Tactical Trident” converted Ohio Class special operations subs, their unique capabilities become even more useful. The E-6B version also has a secondary role as a “Looking Glass” Airborne National Command Post, and in recent years they have seen use as communications relay stations over the front lines of combat.

Delivery of the first production E-6 aircraft took place in August 1989, with delivery of the 16th and final airplane coming in May 1992. This is DID’s FOCUS Article concerning the E-6 system, which includes details concerning the capabilities and associated contracts. The latest contracts involve important fleet upgrades, as the Navy tries to drag the jet’s systems into the 21st century.

E-6 Mercury: Messenger from On High

Crazy ’bout a Mercury…
(click to view cutaway)

The U.S. Navy has a total fleet of 16 E-6B aircraft deployed from Tinker AFB, OK. The 707-300 derivatives have a range of about 5,500 miles, and can easily carry 23 crew members. FAS reports that in the TACAMO role, the E-6 flies independent random operations from various deployed sites for approximately 15 day intervals. Each deployed crew is self-supporting except for fuel and perishables, and the mission requires a 24 hour commitment of resources (alert posture) in the Atlantic and Pacific regions.

The term “Looking Glass” referred to the aircraft’s ability to “mirror” the underground US STRATCOM command center, in the event that it’s destroyed or becomes disabled. The aircraft use their very-low-frequency (VLF) dual trailing wire antenna system to permit one-way, emergency communications to submerged submarines. That gives the Pentagon a vital link to the fleet from national command authorities, without forcing the subs to reveal their positions. In an emergency, the E-6 fleet will also provide an Airborne National Command Post (ABNCP) for United States Command in Chief for Strategic Forces and theater CINCs, including an Airborne Launch Control System capable of launching U.S. land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles.

In the ABNCP role, as directed by US STRATCOM, 2 aircraft would be flown to Offutt Air Force Base (AFB) to embark the battle staff and the airborne launch control system (ALCS) components, then placed in alert status.

The first E-6B aircraft was accepted in December 1997, and the E-6B assumed its dual operational mission in October 1998. The E-6 fleet was completely modified to the E-6B configuration in 2003, and maintenance of the systems is performed by the standard complement of squadron ground and in-flight technician personnel. The Block I upgrades provide the next big step forward for the fleet, and Full Operational Capability was declared in spring 2012.

E-6B Upgrade Efforts

MCS-10 system
(click to view cutaway)

E-6B Block I. This upgrade program began in 2004, as a collaborative effort between the Navy and industry. It adds open system architecture electronics via its new MCS-10 computers; a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Intercommunications System; and an on-aircraft, multi-level secure network for message processing. That electronic architecture also lays the groundwork for future upgrades, by making it much easier to insert new electronics. Rockwell Collins was the prime contractor, with ARINC as their sub-contracted installer. A related Internet Protocol and Bandwidth Expansion (IPBE) effort worked to improve the plane’s uplink/downlink speeds.

The MCS-10 is at the heart of all strategic data communication links aboard the E-6B, and makes it possible to receive and transmit Emergency Action Messages to deployed US Strategic (nuclear) Forces. It will also help the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) mission by automating 2-way messages between the MCS-10 and battlestaff mission equipment, which frees crew members from unnecessary administrative duties of processing, verifying, and then re-typing complex data messages. This saves time and crew in critical situations, while removing the ever-present possibility of human error.

Full Operational Capability (FOC) was declared for the 15 modified E-6Bs and 3 training devices (including at least 1 737) in spring 2012. Since then, the program office has delivered 1 software update, all spares, updated the MCS-10 test bench, and submitted final Emergency Action Message (EAM) certification to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for approval.

E-6B Block II. The follow-on Block II program kicked off in earnest in June 2012. With this program, the E-6B begins to take full advantage of the Block I upgrades. Modifications like the dual line of sight/ satellite MR-TCDL datalink will let the TACAMO fleet connect to secure U.S. Department of Defense networks, at high data rates, while still in flight. That might seem like an elementary function for a national-level command aircraft, but the age of the planes made it a long slog to get there. For people on board, these Block II change will dramatically broaden the type and quality of information they can receive. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for Block II.

E-6B SLEP. In parallel with the communications refits, E-6Bs are also receiving Service Life enhancement Program modifications, designed to take the airframes from 27,000 safe flight hours to 45,000, and give them another 20 years of service life. The refit involves inspecting and replacing up to 15,000 fasteners on the aircraft’s wings, and widening and strengthening fastener holes. That means up to 28,000 man-hours per plane, as the Navy prefers a cold-working process to strengthen the fastening holes, which involves the physical removal and inspection of each fastener as well as rework of the holes.

While the Navy leads that SLEP process, most of the work is being performed by the USAF Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center’s 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who have a lot of experience with the USAF’s similar E-3 Sentry AWACS planes. The SLEP is estimated to cost over $3 million per aircraft, and the 16th and final E-6B is scheduled to roll out of the SLEP hangar in 2015.

E-6 Mercury: Contracts and Key Events FY 2013 – 2017

Block I FRP; TCDL datalink.

Bringing it in
(click to view full)

 

October 06/17: Lockheed Martin and Rockwell Collins have both received USAF contracts ($81 and $76 million respectively) for the technology maturation and risk reduction phase of the Airborne Launch Control System Replacement (ALCS-R) program—the development of an airborne command-and-control system that makes it possible for the USAF to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile even if launch control centers on the ground are destroyed. The program will support intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) operations until 2075, meaning it will work with both the current Minuteman III system and its eventual replacement, the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, which will come online in the late 2020s. During ALCS-R, the service intends to replace all of the airborne mission equipment onboard the 16 E-6B Mercury aircraft equipped with the current ALCS system, as well as ground-based radios in 450 launch-control centers, which haven’t been updated since the 1960s.

June 4/14: Training. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives an $11.9 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to upgrade of the E-6B Mercury Weapon System Trainer, and keep it consistent with changes to the plane.

All funds are committed immediately, using Navy FY 2012-13 aircraft budgets. Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (60%) and Binghamton, NY (40%), and is expected to be complete in February 2017. US NAVAIR in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-13-C-0004).

June 2/14: FAB-T contract. Raytheon in Marlborough, MA receives a $298 million firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification for 84 FAB-T Command Post Terminals (CPT), which will allow broadband-speed reception from the USAF’s hardened, secure new AEHF satellites. FAB-T CPTs will equip E-4B NAOC and E-6B Mercury Block II command post aircraft, as well as some ground and mobile locations. After FAB-T reaches Milestone C, Phase 2 production contract options for Low-Rate Initial Production and beyond will open up for Raytheon, expanding the contract considerably.

It’s a sharp blow to prior incumbent Boeing, but not entirely unexpected. Buying FAB-T terminals for USAF B-2 and B-52 bombers, RC-135 SIGINT/ELINT aircraft, or other planes, would require another procurement process.

Work will be performed in Marlborough, MA and Largo, FL, with the Florida location serving as the assembly point. USAF FY 2013 through 2019 budgets will fund FAB-T buys over time, with just $31,274 committed immediately. Two bids were solicited and two received. The USAF Life Cycle Management Center/HNSK at Hanscom AFB, MA, solicited 2 bids, and received 2 (FA8705-13-C-0005, PO 0002). Sources: Pentagon DefenseLINK | Raytheon, “Raytheon awarded $298 million for US Air Force FAB-T satellite terminal program” | Defense News, “Space Fence, FAB-T Awards Show an Emboldened DoD”.

Feb 25/14: New dome? The Aviationist passes along an interesting observation:

“On Feb. 14, Military Radio Comms Expert Allan Stern took a photograph of E-6B TACAMO 164407 landing at Patrick Air Force Base and several people noticed that there is a new dome on the aircraft, clearly visible before the tail.”

It’s about the same size as wifi antennas on commercial passenger jets, but that doesn’t tell us much. Until there’s an official explanation, the mystery continues. Sources & picture: The Aviationist, “E-6B Mercury “Doomsday plane” with brand new dome”.

Nov 27/13: Rockwell Collins Inc. in Richardson, TX receives a $10.8 million fixed-firm-price contract for E-6B sustaining engineering services, including the Mission Avionics System, the Long Trailing Wire Assembly (~5 miles, for VLF transmission), the Short Trailing Wire Assembly, the High Power Transmit Set and the Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion Phase 4 system.

$2 million in Navy FY 2014 operations and maintenance funds are committed immediately. Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (60%) and Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City, OK (40%) and is expected to be complete in November 2014. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. US NAVAIR in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-14-C-0027).

Nov 14/13: Block I. Rockwell Collins Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $46.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option to deliver and install 2 E-6B Block I modification aircraft kits, including Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion Phase III and very low frequency transmit terminals (VTT). They’ll also deliver and install 4 VTT retrofit modification kits, while providing field support, differences training for existing technicians, software licenses and agreements, and updates to an Operational Flight Trainer.

All funds are committed immediately. Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (56%); Oklahoma City, OK (43%); and San Antonio, TX (1%), and is expected to be complete in May 2015. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-13-C-0004).

Nov 5/13: Support. DRS C3 & Aviation Co. in Gaithersburg, MD receives a $50.9 million firm-fixed-priced contract modification, exercising an option for E-6B support and spares, including the procurement and repair of operational, depot and Military Standard Requisitioning and Issue Procedures spares and associated shipping and data.

$13.3 million in FY 2014 O&M funds are committed immediately, and will expire on Sept 30/14. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), OK (70%); Offutt AFB, NB (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Patuxent River, MD (10%); and is expected to be complete in November 2014. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-C-0011).

Nov 5/13: TCDL. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. in Herndon, VA receives an $18.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option to build, install and test E-6B related modifications to the Multi-Role TCDL’s [PDF, Tactical Common Data Link] Ku-band Line-of-Sight and Ka-band satellite communications systems. It also funds systems integration laboratory work, and aircraft development and operational test support.

$18.5 million in FY 2014 Navy aircraft procurement funds are committed immediately. Work will be performed in Greenville, TX (50%), Patuxent River, MD (35%), and San Diego, CA (15%), and is expected to be complete in November 2015. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-12-C-0096).

July 1/13: FAB-T. Raytheon Network Centric Systems in Marlborough, MA receives a $34 million contract modification to continued development and testing of air (E-4, E-6) and ground fixed and transportable command post terminals with presidential and national voice conferencing. The systems are a parallel project award under the Family of Advanced Beyond line-of-sight Terminals (FAB-T) program, which leverages new AEHF secure, hardened broadband satellites.

Work will be performed at Marlborough, MA, and is expected to be complete by October 2013. Fiscal 2012 Research and Development funds are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/HNSK, Hanscom Air Force Base, MA manages the contract (FA8307-12-C-0013, PO 0013).

April 15/13: Block II: IPBE. US NAVAIR announces that the E-6B’s Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion (IPBE) upgrade was recently installed on its 4th aircraft (3 operational, 1 test), during a service life extension program (SLEP) overhaul. It was delivered back to the Navy’s VQ-4 Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron at Tinker AFB, OK on March 14/13. Twelve more E-6Bs are scheduled to get the IPBE upgrade, with the last installation scheduled for completion in mid-fiscal 2019.

The E-6 Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) describes the IPBE upgrade as an ultra-high frequency line of sight digital data feed used while operating over the USA, and a commercial Inmarsat satellite feed for use when operating outside the USA. Besides offering much higher bandwidth, IPBE has the advantage of removing more than 5,000 pounds of backup equipment from the aircraft.

Nov 27/12: Block I FRP. Rockwell Collins Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $53.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for 3 E-6B Block 1 modification aircraft kits, 3 E-6B Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion Phase III modification kits, and 4 very low frequency transmit terminal kits for the Block 1A engineering change proposal. Since VLF waves penetrate about 40 meters into salt water, they’re used for military communication with submarines. An accompanying trainer upgrade will keep the mission avionics systems trainer in sync. Rockwell Collins later reveals that there are also $241 unexercised options, which could upgrade up to 11 aircraft before all is said and done.

Work will be performed in Oklahoma City, OK (55%); Richardson, TX (35%); and Patuxent River, MD (10%), and is expected to be complete in February 2014. $51.4 million is committed on award. This contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-13-C-0004). See also Rockwell-Collins.

Block I Full-rate production

Nov 19/12: Support. Finmeccanica subsidiary DRS C3 and Aviation Co. in Herndon, VA received a $50 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option for logistics services in support of the E-6B Mercury, including common aircraft spares support for 2 CNATT E-6B Mission Avionics System trainers, an Integrated Avionics Trainer, 2 VQ-7 Operational Flight Trainers, an E-6B P2 Lab, and the E-6B System Integration Laboratory.

In addition, this option provides limited services for residual spares taken from retired 707 derivatives, including the VC-137 (command aircraft, incl. Air Force One) and C-18 (other specialty 707-320B derivatives).

Work will be performed at Tinker AFB, OK (70%); Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NB (10%), and is expected to be complete in November 2013. $15.1 million will be obligated on this award, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year on Sept 30/12. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-C-0011).

Nov 2/12: MR-TCDL. Northrop Grumman Information Systems’ Network Communication Systems subsidiary in San Diego, CA receives a $20.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option to integrate the Multi-Role Tactical Common Data Link (MR-TCDL) into the E-6B aircraft. That’s going to require for ancillary equipment, hardware, and software changes to add the new data standards, flows, and interfaces. The MR-TCDL includes 2 Ku-band line-of-sight channels and 1 Ka-band satellite communications channel, with the accompanying power conditioning, cooling, electrical and network distribution, etc. that are part of the Block II B-kits.

Work will be performed in San Diego, CA (75%), Waco, TX (20%), and Patuxent River, MD (5%) and is expected to be complete in October 2014. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-12-C-0096).

Oct 3/12: Replace? The Lexington Institute releases “Modernizing the Air Force’s Electronic Aircraft Fleet” [PDF]. It advocates replacing all current USAF 707 and C-135 derivatives with off-the-shelf or nearly OTS 737 military derivatives, restoring the fleet while saving on rising maintenance costs. KC-135 aerial tankers, which are being replaced with a Boeing “KC-46A” 767 variant, were excluded from their analysis, leaving just over 70 planes to replace. The Institute believes that the savings could amount to $3 billion per year once full replacement is accomplished, over an expected service life of 30 years. Unfortunately, they do not show their cost model.

It’s an unlikely outcome, but if the USAF did choose this option, the recently-modernized E-6 fleet would probably be the last aircraft phased out. These low-hours airframes that are fresh from an upgrade, and the USAF/USN would have to either design a new internal electronics architecture from the ground up, or convert and then fit the E-6B’s systems into a slightly shorter 737-800/900 ER jet. That would add expenses and time, and introduce technical risks. What it probably wouldn’t do, is significantly increase capabilities when compared to an E-6B Block II.

FY 2011 – 2012

Block I FOC, Block II development.

Gonna buy me a Mercury…
(click to view full)

Sept 10/12: Broadband SATCOM. The Raytheon Co. Network Centric Systems in Marlborough, MA, is being awarded a $70 million firm fixed price contract for development, testing and production of FAB-T engineering development models of air (E-4B NAOC, E-6B), ground fixed and transportable Command Post Terminals with Presidential and National Voice Conferencing (PNVC). FAB-T terminals are designed to work with the US military’s new AEHF hardened broadband satellites.

The location of the performance is Marlborough, MA. Work is to be complete by July 2013. The AFLCMC/HSNK at Hanscom AFB, MA manages the contract (FA8307-12-C-0013).

July 17/12: US NAVAIR discusses the new open architecture MCS-10 mission computer for the E-6B fleet, which was installed on 15 E-6B aircraft and 3 training devices, as a key part of the Block I upgrades.

June 26/12: Block II development. Northrop Grumman Corp. announces a $44.3 million contract from the Us Navy to begin the E-6’s Block II upgrades, which build on Block I’s enabling architecture. Northrop Grumman will design and produce networking and communications systems, first integrating them into the E-6B Systems Integration Laboratory and then onto a single E-6B aircraft. Under the US NAVAIR contract, Northrop Grumman will also provide testing, logistics and training to support operational fielding.

With the Block II Modification, the E-6B aircraft will be able to connect to secure U.S. Department of Defense networks at high data rates while still in flight. The upgrade will enable users on board the aircraft to access mission-essential, near-real-time information from worldwide sources, without impacting the operational performance of the aircraft. If all goes well, the Navy intends to field Block II capability to the entire E-6B fleet through a follow-on contract.

Block II SDD

Spring 2012: Block I FOC. Full Operational Capability (FOC) is declared for the 15 modified E-6Bs and 3 training devices. Source.

Block I done

Dec 1/11: Support. Finmeccanica’s DRS C3 & Aviation Co. in Herndon, VA receives a $48.5 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option for management of government-owned inventory and material support of E-6B aircraft. This option provides for residual spares from past 707-derivative programs, including the VC-137 (former Air Force One) fleet, and the C-18 range of specialized monitoring and communications aircraft.

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, OK (70%); Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis Air Force Base, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NE (10%); and is expected to be complete by November 2012. $6.7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-C-0011).

Dec 1/11: Block I production. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA is being awarded a $45.4 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification to exercise an option to develop and produce A-kits and B-kits for the Block I modification of 3 low rate initial production E-6B aircraft, plus associated training and support to achieve Initial Operational Capability.

Work will be performed in Oklahoma City, OK (50%); Richardson, TX (40%); and Patuxent River, MD (10%). Work is expected to be completed by December 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-10-C-0067).

June 23/11: Them’s the Brakes. General Atomics Systems Integration, LLC in Kaysville, UT wins a $25 million firm-fixed-price requirements contract to design, evaluate, test, install, and provide spares for lighter brakes, wheels, radial tires and a Brake Temperature Monitoring System for the E-6B fleet.

The E-6B fleet wouldn’t be the first military planes to find advantages in modern brake systems, which often use carbon fiber assemblies. Benefits include fewer parts, longer life, lower maintenance requirements, and lower weight that translates into fuel savings. The WBSI brake replacement program for the USAF’s KC-135 fleet, which uses a similar base airframe, was estimated to save a total of $583 million over the life of the program.

Work will be performed in Kaysville, UT (65%); Oklahoma City, OK (25%); and Patuxent River, MD (10%). Work is expected to be complete in September 2015. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals, with 2 offers received by US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-11-D-0005).

Feb 14/11: Block I. The Carlyle Group’s ARINC, Inc. in Annapolis, MD announces a sub-contract from Rockwell Collins to install their Block I upgrades in E-6B TACAMO and Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) aircraft (vid. Nov 22/10 entry).

ARINC will perform comprehensive removal, upgrading, and replacement of the receivers, transmitters, communications racks, and operator stations that support the aircraft’s Communications Central and Battle Staff suites. The same Block I modifications will be made to an existing Mission Avionics Systems Trainer currently used at Tinker AFB, OK.

Work will take place over 26 months at its Aircraft Modification and Operations Facility in Oklahoma City, OK, with personnel from NAVAIR PMA-271 and Rockwell Collins on hand to supervise and assist. ARINC recently began building a 2nd hangar at the facility, which will more than double available hangar space when it opens in June 2011. Induction of the first upgraded E-6B aircraft is scheduled for July 2011, with final delivery by September 2013.

Nov 23/10: JDME Award. NAVAIR announces that its E-6B Mercury Fleet Support Team has received the 2010 Joint Depot Maintenance Excellence Award (Team category) at the Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium in Tampa, FL. Capt. Bob Roof, the E-6B Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications (PMA-271) program manager:

“The E-6 aircraft is a national asset. With only 16 aircraft in the fleet, we could not send them through the normal time lined depot maintenance cycle and still maintain the aircraft readiness level necessary to meet its mission… our Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, fleet support team solved this problem through collaboration with the Air Force using a process called Enhanced Phase Maintenance.”

Under EPM, the depot comes to the aircraft. Air Force artisans work side by side with Navy maintainers, in Navy hangars, to complete the required depot maintenance in as little as 6 weeks.

Nov 22/10: Block I production. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a not-to-exceed $60.5 million addition to a previously awarded but unfinalized $38.8 million contract (N00019-10-C-0067, vid. July 22/10). In exchange for this $99.3 million award, the firm will develop and produce A-kits and B-kits for 3 Low Rate Initial Production E-6B Block I modifications, along with “associated training and support systems to achieve initial operational capability.”

Work will be performed in Richardson, Texas (70%; Waco, TX (20%); and Oklahoma City, OK (10%). Work is expected to be complete in September 2013.

Nov 18/10: Support. Finmeccanica subsidiary DRS C3 & Aviation Co. in Herndon, VA wins a $43.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for logistics services in support of E-6B aircraft, to include management of government-owned inventory and material support.

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, OK (70%); Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NE (10%). Work is expected to be complete in November 2011, and $214,500 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11. This contract was competitively procured via a request for proposal, with 2 offers solicited and 2 proposals received (N00019-11-C-0011).

November 2010: Testing. Month-long Fleet Introduction Team (FIT) checks at Tinker AFB, OK for operational evaluation of the final product with US STRATCOM. Source.

Oct 14/10: Rear. Adm. Donald Gaddis of the US Navy’s Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft approves the ACAT-II level E-6B Block I Modification Program’s move into Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E).

The E-6B Mercury Block I Program entered into System Development and Demonstration (SDD) following Milestone B in March 2004. US NAVAIR.

Block I to IOT&E

FY 2009 – 2010

Block I Milestone C, production.

Routine maintenance
(click to view full)

September 2010: Testing. Final developmental testing completed by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-20 personnel. Source.

July 22/10: Block I production. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives an undefinitized, not-to-exceed $38.8 million contract. The firm will develop and produce an A-kit and B-kit for Block I modification on 1 low-rate initial production E-6 aircraft, as well as associated training and support systems to achieve initial operational capability.

Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (70%); Waco, TX (20%); and Oklahoma City, OK (10%). Work is expected to be complete in July 2011. This contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to FAR 6.302-2 (N00019-10-C-0067).

July 12/10: Block I. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $43.7 million modification for prototype upgraded systems in the government’s E-6 systems integration laboratory, and on pre-production Block I modification aircraft. This order finalizes a previously awarded contract (N00019-09-C-0056) as a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, and covers design, development, integration, installation, and test work.

Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (75%), and Patuxent River, MD (25%), and is expected to be complete in September 2013.

June 15/10: The E-6B Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271), teamed with the USAF Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center’s 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (566 AMXS) at Tinker AFB, OK, and the In-Service Support Center in Jacksonville, FL, has completed their first Service Life Extension Program modification of an E-6B Mercury, extending its originally planned service life of 27,000 flight hours to 45,000 flight hours.

NAVAIR says that the first SLEP modification took 6 months to complete, which would mean that it started late (December vs. September 2009). Contractors included Boeing and Andromeda Systems, Inc., who helped narrow the original list of more than 100 critical rework locations to just the 14 locations reworked on the first SLEP aircraft. The SLEP crew at 566 AMXS replaced original fasteners with interference-fit fasteners and cold-worked 14,383 holes, while performing the 12 individual modification directives. Fatigue Technology, Inc., also provided critical engineering, tooling, and training for the actual cold-working process. Although the modification was similar to work typically done by the 566 AMXS, the cold-working process directed by the Navy to strengthen the fastening holes required additional work and inspections.

The 566 AMXS will perform the same modification on the remaining 15 Mercury aircraft at Tinker AFB with the last SLEP finishing in 2015, vs. the original estimate of 2013. See also Aug 28/09 entry. NAVAIR.

1st E-6B SLEP done.

June 8/10: Milestone C. The E-6B Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) completes a Gate 6 / Milestone C review for the E-6B Modification program, and the E-6B Block I Program enters the Production and Deployment phase:

“The purpose of the Block I Program is to correct E-6B Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) Follow-on Test & Evaluation deficiencies and replace equipment that is obsolete or degrades mission performance by modifying aircraft, ground training systems, and the Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL)… The Prime Contractor for the Block IA Program is Rockwell Collins located in Richardson, Texas. Rockwell Collins, teamed with subcontract L-3 Communications, supports successful aircraft modifications in Waco, Texas.”

On NAVAIR’s side, the Block I IPT leads were Cmdr. Jaime Engdahl and Amy Houle Caruso. The E-6B Mercury Block I Program entered into System Development and Demonstration (SDD) following Milestone B (MS B) in March 2004. The SDD contract will be complete in Q1 2011 (Q2 FY11), but the Milestone C decision is expected to lead to an E-6B delivered for operational use in Q4 2011 (Q1 FY12), with the other 3 aircraft completed by Q4 2012 (Q1 FY13). NAVAIR.

Block I into production

Dec 17/09: Training. L-3 Link Simulation & Training announces a 1-year, $11.2 million contract option to continue to provide support for the U.S. Navy’s E-6B Aircrew Training System (ATS). Additional annual contract options could extend L-3 Link’s flight crew training support through 2015. L-3 Link has won 3 consecutive competitions since 1993, in order to remain prime contractor on the program.

The ATS contracts provide E-6B TACAMO pilots, navigators and flight engineers with instructor-led, computer-based and simulator training. Both academic and simulator aircrew instruction delivered by L-3 Link supports initial qualification, instructor upgrade, refresher, re-qualification, instrument ground school and crew resource management training. L-3 Link also operates and maintains all program training devices, including a new FAA Level D equivalent Operational Flight Trainer that enabled key training events to be moved from the aircraft to far less expensive simulators. The E-6B ATS schoolhouse is located at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. and the FAA Level D equivalent E-6B Operational Flight Trainer is housed in an adjacent L-3 Link facility.

E-6B Mercury landing
click to play video

Aug 28/09: SLEP. Workers from the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at tinker AFB, OK are preparing to begin E-6B SLEP(Service Life Extension Program) work in September 2009. The refit will involve inspecting and replacing up to 15,000 fasteners on the aircraft’s wings, and widening and strengthening fastener holes. The SLEP is estimated to cost just more than $3 million per aircraft, and the 16th and final aircraft is scheduled to roll out of the hangar in the spring of 2013.

The 566th AMXS performs enhanced phase maintenance on the E-6 in addition to its main duties in refurbishing the similar USAF E-3. One difference is that the Navy prefers a cold-working process to strengthen the fastening holes, which involves the physical removal and inspection of each fastener as well as rework of the holes. That means an estimated 28,000 man hours of work for each aircraft, which is still slightly less than the 35,000 hours required to refurbish an E-3 during depot maintenance. USAF.

May 4/09: SLEP. Boeing in Wichita, KS received a $6 million cost plus fixed price delivery order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-05-G-0026) for the supplies and services necessary to plan, manage, and execute engineering support for the U.S. Navy’s E-6B aircraft Service Life Sustainment effort.

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK, and is expected to be complete in September 2011.

April 30/09: Avionics. Boeing in Wichita, KS received a $15.5 million modification to a previous a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract, exercising an option for 15 Crash Survivable Flight Incident Recorders, 15 Flight Data Recorders, and associated technical data and spare and repair parts for E-6B Mercury aircraft.

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, OK, and is expected to be complete in September 2012 (N00019-09-C-0051).

April 14/09: Avionics. Boeing received a $20.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for one Crash Survivable Flight Incident Recorder and one Flight Data Recorder (CSFIR/FDR) for E-6B Mercury Aircraft. In addition, this contract provides for 2 modification kits for the Operational Flight Trainer (OFT); one modification kit for the OFT Replay Debrief Station Trainer, one for the Integrated Avionics Trainer; one for the Part Task Trainer, and one for the Forward Lower Lobe Device Trainer; and interim spare parts and technical data.

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, OK and is expected to be complete in April 2011. This contract was competitively procured under an electronic request for proposals, with 2 offers received by the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-09-C-0051).

March 12/09: IPBE. Rockwell Collins Inc. in Richardson, TX received a $10.3 million “fixed firm price contract” for approximately 37,250 man-hours of engineering, installation, and testing in support of Phase 4 of the E-6B TACAMO’s Internet Protocol and Bandwidth Expansion (IPBE). In addition, a total of 3 options with a total value of $7.7 million are being exercised at time of award, for an additional 40,900 man-hours of non-recurring engineering, installation, and testing. This brings the totals to $18 million and 78,150 hours.

IPBE Phase 4 will install the Digital Northstar System on the E-6B aircraft, giving it the proper configuration to communicate and work with DNS ground sites in the US military’s global communications network.

Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (69%); Cedar Rapids, IA (18%); and Phoenix, AZ (13%), and is expected to be complete in March 2011. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-09-C-0035).

Feb 25/09: NAVAIR’s Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications program office (PMA-271) accepts the first modified E-6B Mercury Block I from Rockwell Collins and L-3 Integrated Systems Group during a ceremony at the L-3 Integrated Systems facility in Waco, TX.

PMA-271 program manager Capt Bob Roof says that the E-6B Block I modification program addresses operator workload sharing, deal with electronics obsolescence issues, makes future upgrades easier, and corrects deficiencies identified during the E-6B Airborne Command Post modification operational test. US NAVAIR.

1st Block I delivered

Oct 30/08: Support. L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC in Madison, MS received a $28.7 million modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-06-D-0011) to exercise an option for logistics services in support of the E-6B TACAMO aircraft fleet.

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), OK (70%); Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NB (10%), and is expected to be complete in October 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $2.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

Oct 30/08: Training. L-3 Communications Corp.in Arlington, TX received a $9.6 million modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract, exercising an option for training support and up to 2,000 flight instructor hours on a Boeing 737-NG aircraft to serve as an E-6B in-flight trainer.

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK; and is expected to be complete in October 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $9.5 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00019-05-D-0012).

FY 2007 – 2008

IPBE

E-6B Mercury
(click to view full)

June 23/08: IPBE. Boeing Aerospace Operations in Oklahoma City, OK received a $28.9 million cost-plus fixed-fee contract for non-recurring engineering, installation, and test of the Internet Protocol and Bandwidth Expansion (IPBE) Phase 1 on one (1) E-6B aircraft. The purpose of the IPBE Phase 1 is to install commercial satellite and line of sight radio equipment, allowing improved data capabilities and global Communications/Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) on the E-6B aircraft.

Work will be performed in Wichita, KS (84%); Oklahoma City, OK (14%); and Seattle, WA (2%), and is expected to be complete in March 2010. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-08-C-0053).

Aug 10/07: Gonna buy me a Mercury, and cruise it up and down Iraq. The USAF’s “Sailors help bridge gap for Soldiers in Baghdad” article describes the recent work of E-6 crews over Iraq:

“In the Middle East, the “Take Charge And Move Out” flies over Iraq to serve as the last means of communication between ground forces… The TACAMO has the capability of staying in the air for long periods of time, so the team flies over Iraq daily, for 12 to 14 hours providing communication.”

Combat

March 2008: Block I. Initial contractor and developmental testing of E-6B block I completed, creates list of “prioritized deficiencies”. NAVAIR also introduced new requirements to improve the airborne command post mission, and a 2nd round of tests took place in May 2009. Source.

April 13/07: Block I. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA received a $45 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide additional funding for the E-6B Block I modification program, including the design, development, installation, and testing of a fully integrated airborne command and control communication system.

Work will be performed in Waco, TX (80%) and Richardson, TX (20%), and is expected to be complete in December 2009 (N00019-04-C-0101).

Oct 26/06: Support. L-3 Vertex Aerospace LLC in Madison, MS received a $28.5 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-06-D-0011), exercising an option for logistics services in support of the E-6B fleet. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), OK (70%); Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NB (10%), and is expected to be complete in October 2007. Contract funds in the amount of $17.7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

Oct 26/06: Training. L-3 Communications Link Simulation & Training in Arlington, TX received a $13.7 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-05-D-0012), exercising an option for up to 2,000 flight instructor hours on a Boeing 737 Next Generation Aircraft to serve as an E-6B In-Flight Trainer. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK; and is expected to be complete in October 2007. Contract funds in the amount of $13.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

FY 1990 – 2006

2003 mods begin
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Jan 24/06: Support. L-3 Vertex Aerospace LLC in Madison, MS received a $27 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for logistics services in support of the E-6B Mercury fleet. With the exercise of 4 more 1-year options, the total value of the contract could reach $142.3 million.

Services will be provided to the Commander, Strategic Communications Wing ONE (CSCW-1), and three TACAMO squadrons at Tinker Air Force Base, OK (70%). Support for operations will be given at Travis AFB, CA (10%); Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, MD, including the Systems Integration Lab (10%); and Offutt AFB, NB (10%), and are expected to be complete in October 2006. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; one offer was received by the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-06-D-0011). Sources: DefenseLINK,

A1075813200000*B1138933632000*DgroupByDate*J2*M704*N1001302&newsLang=en&beanID=1963892417&viewID=news_view">L-3 corporate release.

Oct 18/05: Support. Boeing Aerospace Operations in Oklahoma City, OK received an estimated value $8.5 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced, time and materials, cost-reimbursement contract (N00019-01-C-0066) for the repair services and procurement of spare parts for the E-6 platform. The aim is to reduce the existing repair backlog and replenish of wartime spare kits to proper wartime sparing levels. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, OK and is expected to be complete in December 2005.

Oct 18/05: Training. L-3 Communications Link Simulation & Training in Arlington, TX received a $13.4 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-05-D-0012). The modification exercises an option for up to 2,000 Flight Instructor hours on a Boeing 737 Next Generation Aircraft, to serve as an E-6B In-Flight Trainer. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, OK and is expected to be complete in October 2006.

March 30/04:Block I. The Rockwell Collins Government Systems in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $79.5 million cost-plus-award-fee contract for the system development and demonstration of the E-6B’s Block I modification. Block I aims to:

“…correct follow-on operational test and evaluation, deficiencies, readiness degraders, and obsolescence issues. This effort includes design, development, installation, and testing of the fully integrated system modifications in a systems integration laboratory and a production representative aircraft.”

Work will be performed in Waco, TX (37%); Richardson, TX (36%); Manassas, VA (11%); San Antonio, TX (9%); Cedar Rapids, IA (4%); and Sacramento, CA (3%), and is expected to be complete in September 2008. This contract was competitively procured through a Request for Proposals; 2 firms were solicited and 2 proposals were received by US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-04-C-0101).

Block I SDD

Dec 1/03: Avionics. Boeing’s Wichita Modification and Developmental Center in Wichita, KS received a $20 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-99-C-1228), exercising an option for the purchase of 7 Multifunction Display System (MDS) kits, and installation of 6 MDS kits, for the cockpit of the E-6 aircraft. MDS kits will increase the mean time between failures, reduce spares, and provide substantial life cycle savings over 20 years in operations and support. Work will be performed in Cecil Field, FL (90%), and Wichita, KS (10%), and is expected to be complete in November 2004.

Oct 1/1998: The USAF retires the EC-135, but its Looking Glass role remains with the Navy’s E-6 fleet. USAF.

Looking Glass shifts

July 24/1990: USAF “Looking Glass” aircraft cease continuous airborne alert, but remain on ground or airborne alert 24 hours a day. USAF Strategic Air Command initiated the Looking Glass airborne command post on Feb 3/1961 using the EC-135, whereupon flying shifts kept a Looking Glass aircraft in the air at all times 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for more than 29 years, accumulating over 281,000 accident-free flying hours.

The name “Looking Glass” referred to the aircraft’s ability to “mirror” the underground SAC (now U.S. Strategic Command) command center in the event it was destroyed or became disabled. USAF.

Additional Readings

• US STRATCOM – E-6B Airborne Command Post (ABNCP)

• US NAVAIR – E-6B Mercury

Other National Command Jets

• DID – Nightwatch: The USA’s E-4B NAOC “Doomsday” Fleet

• DID – Boeing Contracted to Support Air Force One VC-25s

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