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Product Name: E-6 Tacamo
Product Description
TACAMO (Take Charge and Move Out) airplanes support the U.S. Navy's
ballistic missile submarine force. They provide survivable, reliable, and
endurable airborne command, control, and communications between the National
Command Authority (NCA) and U.S. strategic and non-strategic forces.
Functions and Capabilities
The E-6 TACAMO consists of the E-6A, a modified Boeing 707-320B with CFM-56
engines, and the E-6B, a modified E-6A equipped with an airborne launch control
system (ALCS) capable of launching U.S. land based intercontinental ballistic
missiles.
The fleet provides:
- a faster and longer-range aircraft than the older propeller-driven EC-130
and EC-135.
- continuous airborne alert coverage for both the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans.
- a very-low-frequency (VLF) dual trailing wire antenna system to permit
one-way, emergency communications to submerged submarines.
- operation from short airfields in emergencies.
Among Boeing's contributions are:
- A series of post-production reliability and maintainability
upgrades, including tail-section modifications.
- A new digital auto-pilot system upgrade to replace the
airplane's original analog system to improve reliability and
maintainability.
- Orbit Improvement System (OIS) enhancements and
modifications to improve communication effectiveness.
- An electronic horizontal situation indicator (EHSI) and attitude
direction indicator (EADI) flight instrument system to replace
existing analog equipment.
- Modification of trainers wherein a total of 168
modifications were designed and installed into the various trainers.
- A Frequency Reference Auto-Paralleling Unit (FRAPU)
modification to ward off disruptive power losses and eliminate power surges
and transients.
The E-6 TACAMO is an important communications relay for fleet ballistic
missile submarines (A and B models) and airborne command post for U.S. Strategic
forces (B model).
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