The TACAMO mission ensures survivable, reliable, and enduring communication between the National Command Authority and U.S. nuclear forces. The E-130J aircraft, developed by a Northrop Grumman-led industry team, will incorporate advanced manufacturing, digital engineering, and agile design to provide rapid development and readiness from Day One.
Northrop Grumman has invested over $1 billion in digital engineering and manufacturing to expedite the design, testing, and sustainability of the E-130J. “Our performance on Navy programs like the E-2D and E-6B prove we deliver on what we promise, and we will bring this expertise in helping the Navy deliver the E-130J on time and optimised for this strategically important mission,” said Jane Bishop, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman’s global surveillance division.
The company has a longstanding history of supporting the U.S. Navy as a prime aeronautics manufacturer. Key programmes include the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and MQ-4C Triton, along with ongoing support for the existing E-6B Mercury fleet. This expertise positions Northrop Grumman as a leader in integrating advanced technology into critical defence systems.
The effort to develop the E-130J will involve industry partners such as Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Raytheon, Crescent Systems, Inc., and Long Wave Inc. This team combines vast knowledge and experience in command and control systems and the nuclear enterprise to meet the Navy’s evolving requirements.
