Posted by Courtney E. Howard
Annapolis, Md., 15 Feb. 2011. ARINC Engineering Services LLC has been selected to perform a major communication systems upgrade on U.S. Navy E-6B aircraft that are part of the Take Charge And Move Out (TACAMO) strategic communications relay mission and the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) command and control missions. Under a subcontract from Rockwell Collins, ARINC will install Rockwell’s Block I avionics modifications on multiple Navy E-6B aircraft, upgrading most of the advanced communications systems on board.
The Navy E-6B is designed to provide survivable and endurable command, control, and communications in support of the President, Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and United States Strategic Command. Built on the Boeing 707 airframe, the E-6B has a range of 5,500 miles, accommodates 23 crew members, and is equipped with an Airborne Launch Control System capable of launching U.S. land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. The U.S. Navy has a total fleet of 16 E-6B aircraft deployed from Tinker AFB.
“ARINC is delighted to receive this extremely important program from our valued customer Rockwell Collins,” says Jeffery Willis, ARINC program director, Defense Programs. “Our working relationship has grown stronger recently with successful upgrade programs on the OC-135 and KC-135 aircraft.”
ARINC will perform the E-6B Block I work at its Aircraft Modification and Operations Facility in Oklahoma City, Okla. Completion is expected to take about 26 months, with induction of the first aircraft scheduled for July 2011 and final delivery by September 2013.
Under the contract, 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 on an existing Mission Avionics Systems Trainer currently used at Tinker Air Force Base.
Personnel from Rockwell Collins and the Navy customer, NAVAIR PMA-271, Patuxent River, Md., are expected to supervise the E-6B upgrade work at Oklahoma City. ARINC recently launched the design and construction of a second hangar at its OKC facility, which will more than double available hangar space when it opens in June.
