US Navy’s new ‘Doomsday Plane’ will not feature Air Force ICBM communications tech

The United States Navy revealed this week that its new so-called “Doomsday Plane,” the new E-XX model, will not feature the Air Force’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile communications capabilities, leaving some in the defense world wondering about possible holes in the US  airborne defense program.

The Drive reported this week that the new E-XX planes, which provide support for US submarines that have long-range missile capabilities, will not feature the communications tech necessary to communicate with the Air Force’s ICBM and bomber units. The primary purpose of the Doomsday planes is to maintain communications with the National Command Authority in the event of a nuclear attack while carrying out Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) missions.

The news was broken on Monday at the Navy League’s Sea Air Symposium. Jane Bishop, VP of Northrop’s Global Surveillance Division, told reporters at the event, “The E-XX TACAMO aircraft will be based upon the C-130J-30 platform, and it will provide survivable, reliable, and endurable command, control, and communications.” Bishop added that Northrop is “very excited” about the team it has put together to head the development of the new planes.

The 2024 fiscal budget calls for six of the aircraft to be manufactured by 2025.