The U.S. Navy’s Airborne Operations Center Aircraft Division said in a statement that the first E-6B Mercury, also known as the Navy’s Doomsday plane, has arrived at the Construction Center. and Northrop Grumman Corporation Aircraft Maintenance in Lake Charles, Louisiana for Block II modifications on May 9. .
This work is part of the Integrated Modification and Maintenance Contract (IMMC) awarded in February, which focuses on improving strategic airborne communications sooner.
“This is an important event because it is the first time that a single company has been responsible for the entire installation,” said Bob Stailey, E-6B program deputy for Strategic Command, Control. and Aerial Communications (PMA-271) said. “NGC Lake Charles has developed an integrated revision schedule for effective implementation and lessons learned from previous efforts.”
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The Block II upgrade includes six modifications that improve the command, control, and communication functions of the aircraft connecting National Command with strategic and non-strategic forces of the United States.
The previous revised contract was made by two separate commercial operations and one organic with an average turnaround time of 19 months. With this new IMMC, the team anticipates eventually reaching a revised turnaround timeline of six months.
“This contract streamlines the way we upgrade our capabilities,” said Stailey. “We are fully engaged with our fleet and partners as we reduce the time required for aircraft modifications.”
Working towards the reduction in time was a team effort with a partnership between the program, the Aircraft Division of the Naval Air Defense Operations Center, the Southeast Fleet Readiness Center, the Contract Administration Defense, Strategic Communications Wing One (SCW-1), Air Defense Reconnaissance Squadron 4, Navy liaison officers and program representatives on site at Lake Charles.
“I am so proud of the entire team and all the work they have done to get to this point,” said Captain Adam Scott, PMA-271 program manager. “This takes a lot of effort and they are constantly looking to identify and overcome any challenges.”
Faster turnaround times with upgrades will result in more available planes with warrior boosts.
“Our number one priority is to make sure SCW-1 fulfills its mission of providing strategic airborne communications and that the president stays connected to his nuclear forces,” Scott said.
The mission of PMA-271 is to provide and support defunct, reliable, and durable air command, control, and communications to the President, Secretary of Defense, and Strategic Command. .
