TACAMO Modernization

TACAMO MODERNIZATION under the Navy's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation budget activity, aims to replace and modernize the E-6B aircraft for the TACAMO mission. This mission provides critical airborne command, control, and communications between the U.S. National Command Authority and strategic forces, essential for nuclear conflict deterrence and management. The program's specific objectives include air vehicle replacement, mission systems modernization, modeling and simulation, requirements refinement, contract development, technical evaluations, and non-recurring engineering. The funding supports requirements development, modernization of mission systems, reducing integration risk on aircraft, increasing reliability and maintainability, cyber resilience, procurement of test assets, secure program facilities, and Engineering & Manufacturing Development contract development for Milestone B program initiation decision.

The program's planned activities include fully funding airframe test assets for mission system testing and air vehicle testing in FY 2023. In FY 2024, the program will continue funding for VLF development, airframe modification, engineering contracts, and EMD contract development. Additionally, the program will provide support for technical expertise in VLF system modernization, airframe modification design, mission systems integration, program management, engineering and logistics tasks to prepare for milestone decision reviews. The budget also includes funds for developmental test & evaluation (DT&E) support necessary for milestone decision reviews in FY 2024 to support major EMD contract award scheduled for first quarter FY 2025.