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Contracts · Nuclear C3

Navy accepts Lockheed C-130J-30 for planned transition from E-6B Mercury

The C-130J-30, part of an initial procurement of three aircraft, will undergo mission-system modification and flight testing to become the E-130J Phoenix II.

The Navy accepted a newly manufactured C-130J-30 Super Hercules from Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Georgia, on Oct. 15.1

Navy accepted a newly manufactured C-130J-30 Super Hercules

first step toward fielding the future E-130J Phoenix II

C-130J-30 variantnewly delivered aircraftactual

part of an initial procurement of three aircraft the Navy acquired in September 2024

E-130J Phoenix IImission-system modificationplanned

flight testing to become the E-130J Phoenix II

Source: Department of War. As of Oct. 16, 2026.

Sources
TGOs tgos.io

The delivery begins the Navy's planned transition from the legacy E-6B Mercury. The airframe's next phase includes mission-system modification, ground testing and developmental flight testing to become an E-130J Phoenix II.1

The aircraft is part of an initial procurement of three aircraft the Navy acquired in September 2024.1

The Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office manages the airframe. Sailors of Strategic Communications Wing 1 at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, will operate and maintain the modernized fleet.1

The Navy plans to equip the E-130J with its next-generation Take Charge and Move Out mission system to provide communications among the president, the Secretary of War and U.S. Strategic Command.1

Sources (1)
  1. Navy Accepts Next-Generation Aircraft to Modernize Strategic Communications, Department of War, Oct. 16, 2026 www.war.gov
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Contracts · Space

Viasat wins contract for Space Data Network’s mission operations hub

The award includes a $115 million initial task order to design, field and scale the center, under a contract with a $450 million ceiling.

Space Systems Command (SSC) awarded Viasat a competitive indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Space Data Network Backbone’s Mission Operations Center, the command announced Nov. 5, 2026. The contract carries a $450 million maximum ceiling and a $115 million initial task order to design, field and scale the center.1

Viasat, Inc. will serve as the network and mission system integration partner

Mission Operations Center (MOC) for the Space Data Network Backbone

maximum ceiling$450 millionactual

contract to Viasat, Inc., with a maximum ceiling of $450 million

initial task order$115 millionactual

to design, field, and scale the MOC

Source: Space Systems Command, Nov. 5, 2026

Sources
TGOs tgos.io

Viasat will serve as the network and mission system integration partner as SSC expands its open-architecture ecosystem across multiple space-segment providers. SSC plans to bring mission integration, network operations and data transport management together through the center.1

The effort builds on the multi-vendor acquisition strategy demonstrated in the Space-Based Sensing and Targeting portfolio’s earlier Delivery Order 2 and Delivery Order 3 work. That work involved Amazon LEO for Government, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab and York Space Systems.1

Breaking Defense reported that the center will serve as the network orchestration hub for the backbone, a low Earth orbit constellation being built by SpaceX. The network’s near-term focus will be supporting the Golden Dome missile defense initiative, the outlet reported.2

DefenseScoop reported that earlier this year the Department of War awarded SpaceX a $2.3 billion contract to deliver a fully operational backbone prototype by the end of 2027.3

The center is intended to integrate mission systems across multiple constellations and providers.1 Breaking Defense described network orchestration as autonomously shifting data among satellite constellations and ground stations when congestion or jamming slows transmission.2

Sources (3)
  1. SSC release, Nov. 5, 2026 www.ssc.spaceforce.mil
  2. Breaking Defense breakingdefense.com
  3. DefenseScoop defensescoop.com
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Contracts · Rotorcraft

U.S. approves possible sale of 11 Black Hawks to Mexico

The package carries an estimated $1.075 billion price for helicopters, equipment, training and support, with Sikorsky as principal contractor.

The State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Mexico of 11 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment, with an estimated price of $1.075 billion. The November 6, 2026, congressional notification announces no contract award or delivery schedule.1

Mexico requested 11 UH-60M helicopters

Foreign Military Sales: Congressional Notification

Estimated sale price$1.075 billioncontingent

possible Foreign Military Sale to Mexico for UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment

Principal contractorSikorskycontingent

Principal contractor would be Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company

Source: U.S. Department of State. As of November 6, 2026.

Sources
TGOs tgos.io

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, would be the principal contractor for a purchase that would expand Mexico's existing UH-60M fleet. The proposed package extends beyond aircraft to engines, navigation systems, radios, personnel training and U.S. Government and contractor support services.1

Implementation would require 15 additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Mexico for an extended period for fielding, system checkout, training and technical and logistics support.1

The State Department says the proposed sale would help modernize Mexico's rotary-wing fleet by consolidating helicopter types and expanding its UH-60M fleet. It also expects the procurement to strengthen Mexico's in-country airlift support for forces engaged in counter-drug operations.1

Sources (1)
  1. State Department, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs: Mexico – UH-60M Blackhawk Helicopters, November 6, 2026 www.state.gov
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