AeroTime is reporting that the US Navy has officially named its upcoming replacement for the Boeing E-6B Mercury . The next aircraft to fulfill the Take Charge And Move Out (TACAMO) role will be named the E-130J Phoenix II. The announcement was made by the US Navy's Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program (PMA-271) and Strategic Communications Wing 1 (SCW-1) on August 7.

The E-130J Phoenix II will be based on the Lockheed C-130J-30 Super Hercules. The name "Phoenix II" is meant to evoke the image of the mythical bird that was reborn from its ashes, symbolizing the plane's mission in the TAMACO role. These planes are designed to maintain critical communications in the event of nuclear war.

The Boeing E-6B Mercury

The TAMACO mission has been a critical aspec

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