[Milsurplus] VLF/ELF submarine comms

[David Stinson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ralph Cameron" <ramcam at magma.ca>


What about TACAMO?........
----------------

From:
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/c3i/e-6.htm

Emphasis in the design and operation of most of today's new Navy aircraft is 
on multimission capability. One exception, by designation and intended role, 
might seem to be the Boeing E-6A. Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadrons (VQs) 3 
and 4 operate E-6As in the same manner as their EC-130s - as TACAMO (take 
charge and move out) communications platforms serving as command links to 
the fleet ballistic missile submarine force.

The E-6 is the airborne portion of the TACAMO Communications System. It 
provides survivable communication links between the National Command 
Authority (NCA) and Strategic Forces. The E-6 is a derivative of the 
commercial Boeing 707 aircraft. Its a long range, air refuelable aircraft 
equipped with four CFM-56-2A-2 high bypass ratio fan/jet engines with thrust 
reversers. The weapon system is electromagnetic pulse hardened. It has an 
endurance of 15+ hours without refueling and a maximum endurance of 72 hours 
with in-flight refueling. Mission range is over 6000 Nautical Miles (NM). It 
carries a crew of five officers, nine enlisted aircrewmen, and up to four 
trainees for TACAMO missions. For ABNCP missions it carries five naval 
officers, nine naval enlisted aircrewmen, and a eight person battle staff as 
determined by the United States Strategic Command (J36).