Aeronautical Radio (ARINC) has been awarded a contract to upgrade major communication systems on four US Navy E-6B aircraft.
Under the contract, ARINC will perform comprehensive removal, upgrade and replacement of receivers, transmitters, communications racks and operator stations, and install Rockwell’s block I avionics modifications on the aircraft.
The E-6B aircraft has been designed to provide survivable, endurable command, control and communications and is capable of launching US land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The first aircraft is scheduled for induction in July 2011 with final delivery by September 2013.
The US Navy currently operates a total fleet of 16 E-6B aircraft deployed from Tinker Air Force Base.
The subcontract, awarded by Rockwell, is part of the ‘take charge and move out’ (TACAMO) strategic communications relay mission and the airborne command post (ABNCP) command and control missions.
Work will be carried out at the company’s facility in Oklahoma, US, and is expected to take about 26 months to complete.
