The U.S. Navy has approved a $20.3 million contract modification for Collins Aerospace to manufacture three high-power transmit set modernization kits for the E-6B aircraft, with work to be carried out in Texas and completed by June 2027 using fiscal 2026 Navy aircraft procurement funding.
The United States Navy has approved a $20.3 million contract modification for Collins Aerospace to manufacture and deliver three high-power transmit set modernization kits for the E-6B Mercury, commonly known as the “doomsday plane,” according to a Department of the Navy contract announcement.
The modification was awarded to Rockwell Collins Inc., doing business as Collins Aerospace Government Systems, under a firm-fixed-price and cost-reimbursable order that exercises an option from a previously awarded contract. The award supports full-rate production of upgraded transmitter systems for the Navy’s E-6B fleet and was issued without competitive bidding.
Contract documents state that the work will be carried out in Richardson, Texas, with completion scheduled for June 2027. Navy aircraft procurement funds for fiscal year 2026, totaling $20.34 million, will be obligated at the time of award, and the funding will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Maryland, is managing the contract.
The E-6B plays a critical role in the United States’ nuclear command, control, and communications infrastructure. Operated by the U.S. Navy, the aircraft provides secure, survivable airborne communications between national leadership and strategic forces, including ballistic missile submarines and land-based intercontinental ballistic missile units.
The transmit set modernization kits are designed to enhance the E-6B’s high-power communications systems, which support very low frequency and other specialized transmissions essential for strategic command missions. Specific technical details of the upgrades have not been disclosed due to operational security concerns.
Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX, is a major supplier of advanced avionics and communications systems for the U.S. military and allied forces. The company has supported numerous modernization programs for legacy strategic platforms across air, land, and maritime domains.
In recent years, the Navy’s E-6B fleet has received a series of incremental upgrades aimed at extending service life and preserving mission effectiveness. These efforts prioritize improved avionics, resilient communications, and integration with evolving command-and-control networks rather than significant structural modifications.
Naval Air Systems Command is responsible for the development, acquisition, and lifecycle sustainment of naval aviation systems. Contract modifications like this one are routinely used to activate pre-approved options within long-term modernization and sustainment programs.
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