The U.S. Navy has officially named its next-generation TACAMO aircraft, designating the E-130J as the Phoenix II.
The announcement came from the Navy’s Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) and Strategic Communications Wing 1 (SCW-1).
TACAMO—short for “Take Charge and Move Out”—is a central element of the nation’s nuclear deterrence posture. Its mission is to provide airborne command and control support for U.S. ballistic missile submarines, including the ability to transmit launch orders while the submarines remain submerged. Aircraft supporting such nuclear missions are often referred to as “Doomsday planes.”
In October 2024, the program’s placeholder designation, E-XX, was formally named the E-130J. As of now, it carries the popular name Phoenix II, symbolizing the mythical bird renowned for resilience, renewal, and rebirth.
This theme of rebirth reflects the TACAMO mission’s earlier execution on the EC-130Q variant of the C-130 platform from 1963 to 1993. The new E-130J Phoenix II will take over the TACAMO role from the Navy’s E-6B Mercury fleet, which has been in service for more than 30 years.
“Phoenix II is the ideal popular name as we take the E-130J TACAMO mission into its next phase,” said Capt. Roger Davis, PMA-271 program manager. “A phoenix is known for its resilience, exceptionally long lifespan, and its ability to transform and continue its purpose. The dedicated team at PMA-271 have committed to the ideals of TACAMO’s critical deterrence mission when executing this new platform; transforming the legacy mission aircraft into a new weapon system with unmatched survivability and longevity for this country.”
The E-130J program will return TACAMO operations to a C-130-based airframe after three decades on the Boeing-built E-6B Mercury. The E-6B currently serves as both a communications relay and a strategic airborne command post, providing survivable, reliable, and enduring nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) for the president, the secretary of defense, and U.S. Strategic Command.
SCW-1 squadrons, based at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, will operate the Phoenix II. The wing includes the “Ironmen” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 3, the “Shadows” of VQ-4, and the “Roughnecks” of VQ-7.
“I’m pleased that this very important program remains on track, and that we were able to leverage our community sailors and veterans through the process,” said Capt. Britt Windeler, commander of SCW-1. “I feel like Phoenix II is especially apt, as we are returning to our roots of executing the TACAMO mission on a C-130 variant.”
PMA-271, part of Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) headquartered at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, is responsible for delivering and supporting survivable, reliable, and endurable airborne command, control, and communications for national leadership and strategic forces.
SCW-1’s mission is to receive, verify, and retransmit Emergency Action Messages (EAMs) to U.S. strategic forces, ensuring the chain of command remains intact under any circumstances. With the E-130J Phoenix II, the Navy aims to ensure that capability well into the future, with a platform designed for greater survivability, operational endurance, and adaptability.