Sustainment & Modernization of US Navy E-6B Mercury Aircraft

Northrop Grumman will perform modifications to the Navy’s E-6B aircraft to improve command, control and communications functions that connect the national command authority with the U.S.’s Nuclear Triad By DA Staff / 08 Mar 2022

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US Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft
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Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $111 million Integrated Modification and Maintenance Contract to modernize the U.S. Navy’s E-6B Mercury platform, a derivative of the commercial Boeing 707 aircraft. 

Over the next five years, Northrop Grumman will perform modifications to the Navy’s E-6B aircraft improving command, control and communications functions that connect the national command authority with the United States’ Nuclear Triad. The company will establish a consolidated production line for core modifications required under the contract. Northrop Grumman may also take on additional, smaller modifications and select depot maintenance tasks as required.

As part of the critical Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) strategic communications mission, the E-6B operates across a wide frequency spectrum to transmit and receive secure and non-secure voice and data information. The aircraft provides survivable, endurable, reliable airborne command, control, and communications in support of the President, Secretary of Defense, and United States Strategic Command.

The work will be performed at Northrop Grumman’s Aircraft Maintenance and Fabrication Center in Lake Charles.  

“We are laser focused on providing the most relevant capabilities while improving mission readiness,” said Mary Petryszyn, corporate vice president and president of Defense Systems at Northrop Grumman. “As leaders in aircraft sustainment and modernization, the US Navy’s E-6B Mercury fleet is another example of our strong partnership with the Navy in achieving those goals.”

Northrop Grumman provides sustainment and modernization support that includes: contractor logistics support and fleet stewardship; modifications and upgrades; mission planning, weapon systems development and pilot training; as well as software design engineering and integration solutions on autonomous, tactical, fixed wing and special mission aircraft systems, including:  F-35 Lightning II; P-3 Orion; BACN E-11A; E-8C; A-10 Thunderbolt II; B-2 Spirit; RQ-4 Global Hawk and more. This contract continues the company’s expansive growth in aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade.

Posted by DA Staff Connect & Contact

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