U.S. Navy Accepts First Nuclear Command C-130J

Lockheed Martin delivered the first C-130J-30 airframe for the United States Navy's E-130J Phoenix II airborne strategic communications program in October 2026. The transport-derived aircraft will undergo conversion and mission-equipment integration to support the Take Charge and Move Out communications role, relaying command messages to ballistic-missile submarines. E-130J is intended to take over that mission from the Navy's aging E-6B Mercury fleet, which also performs other strategic communications functions. Acceptance of the initial airframe marks the start of aircraft conversion activity; it is not delivery of a fully equipped or operational nuclear command aircraft.