The US Navy, through PMA-271 (Office of the Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program), acquired a retired E-3D Sentry early warning and control aircraft from the British Royal Air Force (RAF). The jet, purchased for $15 million, will be used to train pilots on the E-6B Mercury, a US Navy communications and control plane.
As the RAF retires its E-3Ds, the PMA-271 took the opportunity to fill a need. The Office was already looking for an aircraft similar to the Mercury to be used as an instruction platform, in order not to use the few “missionized” aircraft for pilot training.
“Training flights expose mission aircraft to significant wear and tear and impact their readiness and availability,” said Captain Adam Scott, manager of PMA-271. “This is a great opportunity to work with the UK and bring a much needed aircraft into the fleet.”
The Navy has about 16 E-6B Mercury in service. Based on the 707, the E-6Bs act as communications links and flying command posts, relaying information and orders from authorities to strategic commands such as the US Navy's fleet of nuclear submarines.
Since the E-6 entered service more than three decades ago, replacing the EC-130Q TACAMO (Take Charge And Move Out), the Navy has been looking for ways to train pilots and keep them current on the aircraft. These options include leasing several different commercial aircraft, as well as using the E-6Bs themselves. In recent years the PMA-271 has been looking for a dedicated trainer and found one when the Royal Air Force decided to retire its fleet of E-3D Sentry aircraft.
When funds were made available in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2021, the team acted quickly. of the program office flew to Louisiana in late February to inspect the condition of the aircraft as they moved closer to acquiring it. “This team did a great job of acting quickly and seizing this opportunity,” said Scott. "It's a huge win for the entire E-6 community."
Once the aircraft arrives at NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command), a modification will begin with the goal of rolling it out to the fleet by October 2023. The aircraft will help reduce around 600 flight hours and 2400 landings a year in the US -6B.
According to Air Force Magazine, the RAF has seven E-3D Sentry, two of which four are stocked and another three in active service. Starting in 2023, the four-engined aircraft will be replaced by the E-7A Wedgetail, based on the Boeing 737.
With SHIP.
