New C3 and Info Distribution Capabilities

Collins Aerospace has completed modernisation of the US Navy’s E-6B fleet, part of the service’s Airborne Command Post and Take Charge and Move Out (ABNCP/TACAMO) assets, the company announced on 7 December.

The upgraded aircraft features a new command and control battlestaff, communications central control, multi-enclave voice/data/video distribution system, and an IP Bandwidth Expansion (IPBE) digital backbone. Collins Aerospace acted as the mission system integrator, designing, developing, producing, installing, and qualifying the mission system recapitalisation.

“As a result of this upgrade, crews have a modern, multi-enclave mission system that provides a full picture of their operating environment,” commented Heather Robertson, VP/General Manager, Integrated Solutions, Mission Systems.

As part of the ABNCP mission, the E-6B is an airborne command post and communications relay for US nuclear forces. For the TACAMO mission, it provides the survivable communications link to US submarine forces, using Collins Aerospace’s VLF terminal.