# 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. Published 2026-10-16 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/10/16/navy-accepts-lockheed-c-130j-30-for-planned-transition/ The Navy accepted a newly manufactured C-130J-30 Super Hercules from Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Georgia, on Oct. 15.[1] The delivery begins the Navy's planned transition from the legacy E-6B Mercury.[1] 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.[1] Sailors of Strategic Communications Wing 1 at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, will operate and maintain the modernized fleet.[1] ## Why it matters 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. Navy Accepts Next-Generation Aircraft to Modernize Strategic Communications, Department of War, Oct. 16, 2026