Pictured is a C-130J assigned to the 41st Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base performs low-level training through the Alaskan mountains July 21, 2016. This is the aircraft the US Department of Defense is considering adapting to meet the E-XX capability requirements. Credit: DVIDS.

The C-130 is a reliable military transport aircraft that has been continually used by US military services for some time.

Nevertheless, the US Department of Defense (DoD) has been deliberating over the continued use of the aircraft. While it has been announced that the C-130 fleet will receive repairs, the DoD’s spending on the aircraft is expected to cease by 2028, according to GlobalData forecasts.

Meanwhile, the DoD also contracted Lockheed Martin on 13 April 2023 to provide the rapid execution of non-recurring engineering, to include studies, engineering analysis, airframe analysis, and risk reduction of the C-130J aircraft. This will determine whether the aircraft can meet E-XX capability requirements. Work will be performed in Marietta, Georgia, and is expected to be completed in June 2026.

The E-XX aircraft is being developed to provide secure connectivity between the US National Command Authority and the US Navy’s (USN) ballistic submarine fleet, which can deliver nuclear weapons. The programme aims to recapitalise the existing fleet of TACAMO aircraft with a new E-XX platform based on the C-130J. All such missions and duties are currently being performed by the USN E-6B fleet.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

New life supporting the E-XX

Considering GlobalData ceases its C-130J spending forecast by 2028, and in light of the USN’s plan to adapt this fleet with E-XX capabilities by 2026, it makes sense that the legacy C-130J fleet may be recycled for USN application for future maritime security.

See Also:

The maritime domain sees enormous demand imposed on navies in the current security climate. With US allies devoted to the Indo-Pacific security policy, their navies seek to ramp up their capability to match the ‘pacing challenge’ of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). PLAN is believed to have the largest fleet in the Asia-Pacific region, according to GlobalData, and is a close contender to the USN regarding the number of its ships.

The USN is focused on expanding its weapons capability; its FY 2024 Budget recently allocated an additional $2bn to weapons programmes. This means that recycling the C-130J fleet for the E-XX programme will be useful as a way of reducing costs and will allow the DoD to maintain the integrity of the C-130J and its enduring capabilities.

Not only this, it will also enable the USN to maintain a healthy distance in front of PLAN’s ever growing ship count. Whether or not the DoD goes through with this plan for the legacy fleet, it certainly appears to be an elegant and all-encompassing solution to a number of problems.