Lockheed Martin Corporation delivered the first C-130J-30 Super Hercules destined for the U.S. Navy’s Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission on October 15, 2026. The handover marks the physical start of a major recapitalization of the nation’s airborne nuclear command-and-control fleet.

Announced in an October 16, 2026 press release, the delivery at the manufacturer’s Marietta, Georgia, facility initiates the transition from the legacy Boeing E-6B Mercury to the new E-130J Phoenix II. The platform will provide a survivable communications link connecting the National Command Authority with the United States’ nuclear ballistic missile submarines.

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Transitioning to the E-130J Phoenix II

The delivered aircraft is the first of three C-130J-30 airframes initially procured by the U.S. Navy in September 2024. The airframe rolled out of the Lockheed Martin factory in September 2025 before completing final preparations for the October 15, 2026 handover.

Trish Pagan, Vice President of Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin, stated in the press release that the delivery represents a historic milestone for the strategic communications network.

“The C-130J-30 Super Hercules continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of our customers, carrying the proven reliability of its lineage while transforming into a new, strategic mission set,” Pagan said.

The U.S. Navy officially announced the E-130J designation for the TACAMO recapitalization program, formerly known as E-XX, on October 21, 2024. The service subsequently announced the popular name “Phoenix II” on August 7, 2025.

Capt. Roger Davis, Program Manager for the Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications program office (PMA-271), emphasized the strategic importance of the new platform during the delivery announcement.

“Today’s delivery from the historic Marietta line represents far more than a new airframe; it marks the foundation of our future strategic deterrence posture,” Davis said. “Through our close partnership with Lockheed Martin and our industry team, we are ensuring our nation maintains an unshakeable communications lifeline to our ballistic missile submarine fleet.”

Mission systems integration and next steps

Following the delivery from Lockheed Martin, the C-130J-30 airframe will transition to Northrop Grumman Corporation for extensive modifications. The U.S. Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a $3.5 billion contract for E-130J mission-systems integration on December 18, 2024.

The integration process will transform the tactical airlifter into a strategic command-and-control node. A critical component of this transformation involves the installation of Very Low Frequency (VLF) communications systems provided by Collins Aerospace. These VLF systems are required to penetrate ocean depths and communicate with submerged ballistic missile submarines.

The aircraft must complete this mission-systems integration phase before it can begin ground and flight testing for the TACAMO mission.

Recapitalizing the TACAMO fleet

The E-130J program represents a significant expansion and modernization of the U.S. strategic deterrence infrastructure. The TACAMO mission was originally performed by the legacy EC-130Q Hercules from 1963 to 1993. This historical connection inspired the “Phoenix II” moniker for the new E-130J.

The Boeing Company subsequently took over the mission profile with the 707-based E-6 Mercury. The U.S. Navy accepted the first E-6A Mercury in August 1989 and the upgraded E-6B variant in December 1997.

As the current fleet of 16 E-6B Mercury aircraft ages, the U.S. Navy selected the stretched C-130J-30 Super Hercules as the base platform for its replacement. According to an April 21, 2026 Pentagon acquisition report, the planned E-130J fleet will consist of 31 aircraft, including six pre-production examples. The program acquisition unit cost, including research and development, is estimated at $732.8 million per aircraft.

AirPro News analysis

The shift from a Boeing 707-based platform back to a turboprop airframe represents a fundamental change in the operational profile of the TACAMO mission. While the E-6B Mercury offered jet speeds and high-altitude loitering capabilities, the E-130J Phoenix II prioritizes austere runway access, lower operating costs, and the supply chain stability of an active production line. We view the near-doubling of the fleet size from 16 to 31 aircraft as a clear indicator of the U.S. Navy’s intent to increase continuous airborne alert capabilities. A larger fleet of turboprop aircraft will allow the service to disperse its strategic communications nodes across a wider range of operating bases, complicating adversary targeting and enhancing overall survivability.

Saab has officially unveiled the first GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft destined for the Swedish Air Force, marking a critical step toward modernizing the nation’s multi-domain surveillance capabilities.

Presented at the manufacturer’s Linköping facility on October 15, 2026, the aircraft will now enter a comprehensive testing and verification phase ahead of its maiden flight. The milestone, announced in a company press release, follows a strategic push by the Swedish government to accelerate deliveries of the advanced sensor platform.

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Accelerated procurement and fleet expansion

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) initially contracted Saab for two GlobalEye aircraft in June 2022 under a SEK 7.3 billion agreement. That initial contract included options for up to two additional airframes. In June 2024, the FMV exercised one of those options, ordering a third aircraft for SEK 2.6 billion.

The procurement timeline has seen significant adjustments since the initial order. While the 2022 contract originally slated deliveries for 2027, the Swedish government announced an accelerated delivery schedule in October 2024. This shift was catalyzed by Sweden’s strategic decision to donate one of its older Saab ASC 890 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) airframes to Ukraine. To bridge the resulting capability gap, the first two GlobalEye airframes will be delivered to the Swedish Air Force in an interim configuration before undergoing later modifications to reach their full operational capability.

During the presentation ceremony in Linköping, Saab leadership emphasized the program’s progress.

“The presentation of Sweden’s first GlobalEye marks an important milestone for both Saab and the Swedish Armed Forces. As the programme progresses towards delivery, GlobalEye will provide Sweden with a powerful capability for airborne surveillance and situational awareness,” said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

Platform capabilities and international demand

Designated the S 106 in Swedish military service, the GlobalEye is a multi-domain AEW&C solution designed to provide a comprehensive operational picture across air, land, and maritime environments. The system integrates Saab’s Erieye Extended Range (ER) active electronically scanned array radar, along with a suite of active and passive sensors, onto a modified Bombardier Global 6000/6500 long-range business jet platform.

The platform is experiencing growing international demand as NATO and allied air forces move to modernize their airborne surveillance fleets. The United Arab Emirates served as the launch customer for the GlobalEye type. Beyond the Middle East, the aircraft is gaining traction within Europe.

On September 10, 2026, Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius and Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson signed a Letter of Intent for the Netherlands to acquire one Saab GlobalEye aircraft. This procurement will be executed through a framework involving Sweden’s FMV. As part of the agreement, Dutch crews are expected to gain access to Swedish aircraft for training purposes starting in 2028. Additionally, the platform is currently being evaluated by Canada for its own multi-mission aircraft requirements.

AirPro News analysis

The rollout of the Swedish GlobalEye highlights a broader European shift toward rapidly fielding advanced airborne early warning capabilities in response to regional security demands. By accepting initial airframes in an interim configuration, the Swedish Air Force is prioritizing immediate operational availability over waiting for full-capability modifications. The framework agreement with the Netherlands suggests Saab is successfully positioning the GlobalEye as a standardized, interoperable AEW&C solution for NATO allies, potentially challenging traditional American dominance in this specific procurement space.

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. has secured a 220-day exclusive-use task order from the U.S. Department of the Interior to deploy a highly modified Multi-Mission King Air 350 for aerial intelligence during the 2027 wildfire season.

The contract, announced in a company press release on October 15, 2026, guarantees a minimum award value of approximately $5.3 million and will primarily support the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.

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Extended deployment for the 2027 fire season

The exclusive-use period is anticipated to begin on or around March 1, 2027, and run through early October 2027. The agreement includes provisions for potential mutual extension beyond the initial 220-day window. This new task order follows a shorter 112-day deployment of the same aircraft under a U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) contract during the summer of 2026, which was announced on July 16, 2026.

The aircraft will provide air attack flight services, delivering real-time data dissemination to ground crews managing wildland fires across the United States.

“This award gives us the opportunity to put our people, aircraft, and intelligence capabilities to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs across more of the 2027 wildfire season,” said Sam Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bridger Aerospace.

Davis noted that the Multi-Mission King Air 350 is designed to deliver critical information from above, enabling ground crews to make rapid decisions during active fire events.

Aircraft modifications and intelligence integration

The Multi-Mission King Air 350 utilized for this contract underwent extensive modifications at Bridger Aerospace’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified repair station. The upgrade program was supported by the company’s engineering team based in Huntsville, Alabama.

To meet the specific demands of aerial intelligence and air attack roles, the aircraft was equipped with Blackhawk engine upgrades, which provide jet-like speed and improved low-altitude performance. The flight deck features updated Garmin avionics. For its primary surveillance mission, the aircraft carries dual sensor systems integrating Wide Area Motion Imagery (WAMI) technology paired with an MX-15 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor.

Growing state and federal footprint

Headquartered in Belgrade, Montana, Bridger Aerospace was founded in 2014 by combat veterans and operates a diverse fleet of specialized firefighting aircraft. The company’s portfolio includes Pilatus PC-12s, Kodiaks, King Airs, and the largest private fleet of Canadair CL-415EAF and CL-215T Super Scoopers globally.

The $5.3 million DOI task order adds to a series of recent government contracts and technology integrations for the company. On July 27, 2026, Bridger Aerospace secured a $58 million contract from the Texas A&M Forest Service to build a State Wildfire Aviation Surveillance Program. That agreement included the acquisition and modification of three King Air 360 multi-mission aircraft.

The company has also expanded its software and data capabilities. On September 3, 2026, Bridger Aerospace announced a partnership with OroraTech USA to integrate space-based thermal intelligence and satellite data into IGNIS, its mobile-first wildfire operations software platform.