Navy releases solicitation to replace E-6B Mercury planes

The U.S. Navy is pursuing a technically viable and cost-effective replacement for their aging fleet of E-6B Nuclear Command, Control and Communications aircraft, according to contract documents released Thursday.

The new replacement will take over the duties of the current E-6B to allow the aging fleet to perform other critical missions before it is retired.

The E-6B Mercury aircraft, known as TACAMO (which stands for Take Charge And Move Out), is a survivable airborne communication system plane that can take control of the Navy’s ballistic missile submarine force and overall strategic forces if needed.

The first E-6 was delivered in August 1989 with the final airplane coming in May 1992.

The E-6B version also has a secondary role as a “Looking Glass” Airborne National Command Post that has been used as a communications relay station over the front lines of combat.

The Naval Air Systems Command on behalf of the Airborne Strategic Command, Control, and Communications Program Office, intends to release a competitive solicitation for the procurement of the TACAMO Recapitalization (E-XX) Program.

“The competitive solicitation is for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract, including options for System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTA), and options for the first two production lots,” the Navy said in a solicitation document released Thursday.

The solicitation will be available for “courier pick up only” on Sept. 21 to those offerors that meet the requirements contained herein for the E-XX effort, the Navy said.

“The solicitation is for a prime contractor to integrate mature, government-defined, TACAMO mission systems, including the Collins Aerospace Very Low Frequency (VLF) subsystem, into a government-furnished C-130J-30 aircraft,” the Navy said.

The solicitation requests proposals for both the EMD and production phases. During EMD, the contractor will design, develop, integrate, deliver, and test up to six E-XX aircraft (three Engineering Development Models and up to three SDTAs).

VLF and C130J-30 Original Equipment Manufacturers Rockwell Collins Inc. and Lockheed Martin will be directed subcontractors under this effort, the Navy said.

The Navy plans to award the contract in October 2024.

In the meantime, the Navy is updating and modifying its current fleet of E-6Bs.

First Modified E-6B Delivered

In June, Northrop Grumman Corp. (NGC) announced that the first modified E-6B Mercury was delivered back to the Navy.

“Five kits were successfully integrated onto the E-6B platform, implementing efficiencies and improving aircraft command, control, and communications functions,” NGC said in a press release.

Northrop Grumman was awarded the Integrated Modification and Maintenance Contract for the Navy’s E-6B Mercury platform, a derivative of the commercial Boeing 707 aircraft, in February 2022. The contract has a value of $111 million. The work was performed at Northrop Grumman’s Aircraft Maintenance and Fabrication Center in Lake Charles.

The E-6B operates across a wide frequency spectrum to transmit and receive secure and non-secure voice and data information. The aircraft provides survivable, reliable, and endurable airborne command, control and communications in support of the President, Secretary of Defense and United States Strategic Command.

The second aircraft has already arrived in Lake Charles, and capability upgrades, integrations and tests on the aircraft are underway.

Over the next several years, NGC will continue to perform these modifications to the current Navy E-6B aircraft.

Related story: Navy schedules Classified Industry Day meeting to discuss TACAMO aircraft replacement

Betfred USA appoints Spajic as CEO

U.K.-based global gaming operator BetFred announced on Thursday that Kresimir Spajic has been appointed the new CEO of Betfred USA.

Kresimir Spajic, a recognized online gaming industry leader, will spearhead the sportsbook's vision, strategy, and operational execution across ten U.S. states, like Colorado, Ohio, Nevada and Virginia.

In a company statement, BetFred said Spajic has decades of experience in domestic and international online gaming. He has previously held various executive and principal consulting roles with Great Canadian Entertainment, Apollo Global Management, Hard Rock International, Rush Street Interactive, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, and Bwin.

He holds a multidisciplinary graduate degree in management, law, and humanities from SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy), the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland) and De Montfort University (England).

“I am looking forward to working with our exceptional domestic and global talent and partners,” Spajic said in a company press release. “Together, we aim to build a sustainable business in the U.S. by delivering unparalleled value and support to our customers while upholding a strong commitment to responsible gaming."

“Our team in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to expand our operation, and with Kresimir's vast experience we have the right person to take our U.S. business to the next level,” said Betfred Group Chief Executive Joanne Whittaker.

The company entered the U.S. sports betting market in 2019 when Betfred USA was formed. The company is based in Las Vegas, Nev., but Betfred is now available online and in-person across ten U.S. states.

Betfred USA is the official sports betting partner of the Cincinnati Bengals, the Denver Broncos of the NFL, and the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL.

Quotes on space from AFA’s 2023 Air, Space & Cyber Conference

State of the Space Force

Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations

“Ladies and gentlemen, the space domain that I learned to fly satellites in is no more. The new space domain is far different. It has taken on characteristics of a more dangerous and dynamic security environment worldwide.”

“The space domain is now more contested than in any other point in history.”

“As Secretary Kendall so clearly stated, the challenge we need to be ready for is not the one we have been focused on for many years.”

“We must recognize that we cannot just take our old structures and processes, rename them and expect different outcomes.”

“One way we are understanding future challenges is by exploring ways to better integrate commercial space, commercial capabilities, services and activities are expanding rapidly.”

Global Threats and Opportunities

Dr. Christopher Scolese, Director, National Reconnaissance Office

“Russia is mostly focused on denying our ability to operate in space. And the threat is not only in space, it’s also in cyberspace.”

Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, Associate Director for Military Affairs, Central Intelligence Agency

“Russia is our acute enemy and security problem. Putin’s war [against Ukraine] has been a strategic failure for him. But he remains committed and that causes strategic challenges for us and for our NATO allies.”

Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Gagnon, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence, USSF

“Last year, the PLA [People's Liberation Army], and China, were successful in putting almost 200 satellites up into orbit. In 2014, they put 26 up. Of those 200 satellites, over half of them are remote sensing satellites. To see and sense, not just inside China, but the Indo-Pacific region and the world. In fact, China is overhead right now. Downlinking data to Beijing and other command centers, to understand where the joint force is. What the joint force is doing. And what the closing time for the joint force will be into the western Pacific. Our monopoly on space superiority is over unless we earn it.”

Secretary of the Air Force says war with China is not inevitable, but be ready

Based on recent meetings held with Secretary of Air Force Frank Kendall, it was noted that China’s President Xi Jinping is pursuing the same military improvements as the U.S., and a pending war may be on the horizon. Kendall has made it clear several times in recent comments that China is preparing to go to war with the United States.

During Kendall’s keynote address at the Air & Space Association’s Air, Space and Cyber conference on Monday, the secretary said its time to “think about what we've accomplished, what we need to prioritize as we move forward.” Kendall mapped out five lines of effort that are under review for reorganization within the Air Force: organization, equipment, personnel, readiness, and supporting the force.

“Last week we briefed some of our outside advisers on this effort,” Kendall said. “One of them was born in China and is a leading expert on Chinese culture, history, and government. Her reaction was interesting; her view is that the Department of Air Force's five lines of effort—organizing, equipping, personnel, readiness, and support—are essentially identical to the lines of effort Xi Jinping has been implementing since 2016 to prepare China for war with the United States.”

But China’s true military reorganization efforts have been in the works for several years.

“After the first Gulf War, China recognized that it needed to redesign and modernize its military if it hoped to compete with the United States, and to achieve its goals in the western Pacific. Particularly with the integration of Taiwan to Communist China,” Kendall said.

Kendall said China has been reoptimizing its forces for great power competition and to prevail against the U.S. and Western Pacific for over 20 years. “We must do the same,” he said.

“War is not inevitable,” he added. “And our job first and foremost is to deter aggression. We are in a race for technological and operational superiority that we can expect to last for the next several decades. Even though China is currently experiencing serious economic problems, which the President noted yesterday. This has not reduced the risk of aggression.”

The goal is to identify and begin execution of the five lines of effort by January, a range of changes that will reoptimize as part of the Air Force for great power competition.

“If we are going to deter, we must be ready for war,” Kendall added. “Again, war is not inevitable, and no one can predict when or if it will occur.”

Kendall also touched on a looming deadline to fund the federal government for the upcoming fiscal year. The White House has called on Congress to pass a short-term spending bill, a continuing resolution, to avoid a government shutdown while lawmakers try to reach a compromise on federal spending.

“As we approach the end of the fiscal year in two weeks, I do have some requests for the Congress,” Kendall said. “Do not shut down the government. Many of us have been through shutdowns, they are extremely damaging to our readiness, retention, and morale.”