US Navy takes delivery of first C-130J for new airborne command platform

Lockheed Martin delivered the first C-130J-30 Super Hercules to the US Navy on 15 October 2026, according to the manufacturer. The aircraft is to be converted into the E-130J Phoenix II configuration and will take on the TACAMO mission, a flying communications system intended to keep command orders flowing to the Navy's nuclear forces.

The handover took place at Lockheed Martin's Marietta plant in Georgia. From there the aircraft passes to Northrop Grumman, which acts as systems integrator and will install the specialised communications and mission equipment.

The new type will replace the Boeing E-6B Mercury currently used for the role. In returning TACAMO to the Hercules family, the Navy is going back to a lineage it flew from 1963 to 1993 with the EC-130Q.

The E-130J is based on the stretched C-130J-30 airframe and is to receive upgraded avionics and communications systems, the source states.