NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- The E-6B Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) here completed an Operational Test Readiness Review for the E-6B Block I Modification Program (Acquisition Category II) Oct.14.

The Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft, Rear. Adm. Donald Gaddis, approved the program’s move into Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) starting Monday.

“This is a significant step forward for the entire program office,” said Capt. Bob Roof, PMA-271 program manager. “The Block I program impacts the implementation schedule for other modifications ongoing in the PMA. Achieving this important milestone on schedule will not only facilitate the Block I upgrade for the fleet but will also lay in other very important upgrades providing the fleet with a state-of-the-art command, control and communications platform.”

The E-6B Mercury Block I Program entered into System Development and Demonstration (SDD) following Milestone B in March 2004 and received approval to enter into Production and Deployment June 23.

The purpose of the Block I Program is to correct E-6B Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) Follow-on Test & Evaluation deficiencies and replace equipment that is obsolete or degrades mission performance by modifying aircraft, ground training systems, and the Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL) to provide the Joint Force with a more effective survivable nuclear command, control and communications capability, according to Roof.

PMA-271 awarded a Low Rate Initial Production contract to Rockwell Collins, Richardson, Texas, July 23. Rockwell Collins was also the prime contractor for the System Design and Development contract, which will be complete during the second quarter of fiscal year 2011. The first aircraft is expected to be delivered for operational use first quarter of fiscal year 2012, with an additional three aircraft to be completed by second quarter fiscal year 2013.

“The program reaching IOT&E was a great team effort led by the Block I IPT leads, Commander Jaime Engdahl, Commander Kyle Karstens and Amy Houle Caruso,” said Roof. “It is the result of much hard work over the past year between the IPT, VX-20, VX-1 and our contract partner, Rockwell Collins.”

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