US Navy begins converting C-130J into E-130J Phoenix II nuclear command aircraft

A C-130J-30 Super Hercules arrived at Lockheed Martin's Marietta, Georgia facility on October 15 to be converted into the E-130J Phoenix II, the Navy's next airborne nuclear communications aircraft. It will replace the E-6B Mercury fleet that relays strategic instructions to US nuclear forces, with Northrop Grumman integrating the mission systems.

• C-130J-30 max takeoff weight is 164,000 pounds, with 46,700 pounds standard payload
• Range is about 2,485 miles with a 40,000-pound payload on four turboprop engines
• Northrop Grumman will integrate communications and survivability systems for the TACAMO mission
• The Navy previously flew the EC-130Q for TACAMO duties from 1963 to 1993