Lockheed Martin to provide E-130J training devices for Navy TACAMO mission

Lockheed Martin will provide training devices and services for the E-130J Phoenix II as part of Northrop Grumman's industry team supporting the US Navy's TACAMO mission. Leveraging its role as C-130J original equipment manufacturer, Lockheed will deliver high-fidelity simulations for the airborne communications platform.

Lockheed Martin will provide training devices and services for the E-130J Phoenix II as part of Northrop Grumman's industry team supporting the US Navy's Take Charge And Move Out (TACAMO) mission, according to an official announcement. The E-130J Phoenix II is built on Lockheed Martin's C-130J-30 Super Hercules airframe and will provide a resilient airborne communications platform maintaining uninterrupted connectivity between US decision-makers and the strategic weapons triad when ground-based links are compromised.

Lockheed Martin is a global defence and aerospace technology company, serving as the original equipment manufacturer of the C-130J. As the key provider of training systems for specially designed C-130 aircraft, Lockheed leverages the inherent concurrency between the C-130J and platforms like the E-130J to accelerate production of high-fidelity simulations. The training devices will enable Navy personnel to master the aircraft's advanced mission systems, very low frequency communications, and integrated command and control capabilities before fleet operational entry.

This development matters for the defence training and simulation sector, where next-generation sustainment services and training solutions accelerate warfighter mission readiness. The TACAMO mission requires highly realistic and effective training for communications teams operating in scenarios where ground-based links are compromised.

For the defence industry, the agreement demonstrates Lockheed Martin's ability to leverage aircraft design and performance expertise to recreate real-world avionics and communications environments. Stakeholders including Navy aircrew, maintainers, and mission commanders stand to benefit from accelerated training timelines and improved readiness prior to the E-130J fleet's operational entry.