a detachment at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, in
October 1997.
Although TACAMO’s 24-hour in-light alert
mission ended in 1991, the aircraft maintain
ground alert at Patuxent River, Travis and
Offutt as well as deployed locations.
TACAMO training is conducted by VQ-7
Roughnecks, which was activated on
November 1, 1999. Today it’s performed using
the Operational Flight (OFT), Mission Avionics
System (MAST) and Weapon System Trainers(WST). However, VQ-7 initially lew a pair
of 707-382s under the designation TC-18F
and, after retiring them in 2001, periodically
borrowed a USAF EC-18B. VQ-7 also leased
Boeing 737-200 and -600 aircraft as light
trainers until 2009.UPGRADES
In October 1992, Chrysler Technologies
Airborne Sciences (CTAS) – which later
became Raytheon E-Systems and is nowknown as L3 Technologies – accepted a
contract to provide the E-6A leet with an
Avionics Block Upgrade (ABU).
This was for the installation of an AN/
ARC-208 Military, Strategic, Tactical and
Relay (MILSTAR) satellite communications
(SATCOM) terminal and Global Positioning
System (GPS), AN/ART-54 High Power
VLF/LF Transmit System (HPTS), three
dual-redundant MIL-STD-1553B data
buses that interfaced with the Flight Deck
Avionics System (FDAS) and Mission
Avionics Systems (MAS). There were also
upgrades to the Mercury’s light deck and
mission avionics.
CTAS delivered the prototype ABU
E-6A to the US Navy at its Waco, Texas,
modiication facility in June 1994. Boeing
also began development that year of
the Orbit Improvement System (OIS),
which installed an auto-throttle system
and modiied the dual light management
computer system (FMCS) to improve
navigation accuracy.
The contractor also started development of
the Command Post Modiication in February
1995 after receiving a $95m contract. This
incorporated the capabilities of the US
Strategic Command’s EC-135C Looking
Glass Airborne Command Post (ABNCP)
aircraft into the Mercury. The ABNCPs
were a backup for USSTRATCOM’s Global
Operations Center (GOC) in the event that the
underground facility at Offutt AFB, Nebraska
was unable to carry out its mission.
Under the project, CTAS cross-decked
equipment to the E-6s from the retiring
EC-135Cs, which had been tasked with the
mission since 1961.
The systems comprised the Airborne
Launch Control System (ALCS), AN/ARC-
171 Ultra High Frequency Command, Control
and Communication (UHF C3) system, AN/
ARC-33 Digital Airborne Intercommunications
Switching System (DAISS) and STU IIIR
Secure Telephone Units. Other equipment
transferred were a secure facsimile and Time/
Frequency Standards Distribution System
(T/FSDS) while an upgraded UHF SATCOM
was installed.
In addition to the capability to check the
status of ground-based inter-continental66 Aviation News incorporating Jets September 2018
A Mercury, its tail removed, is moved into a hangar at the Boeing Aerospace Support Center, Florida in 2003. The aircraft was at the Cecil Field
facility to receive a new cockpit and updated communication systems. US NavyWhen on station the E-6B deploys two aerials – one is 28,000ft long and hangs almost
vertically. US DoD/US National ArchivesAn E-6B taxiing off the runway at Offutt AFB in Nebraska. US DoD/US National Archives