AAR Corp., an aviation services provider based in Illinois, has partnered with KIRA to establish a joint venture aimed at enhancing in-flight training for US Navy E-6B Mercury pilots. This new business entity, named KALS LLC, is tasked with managing a two-year competency assignment that is crucial for future operators of the Boeing-manufactured E-6B TACAMO (Take Charge and Move Out) aircraft. The E-6B serves a vital role in airborne nuclear command and control, facilitating communication between the US strategic command, the defense secretary, and the president.
KALS will conduct its operations at its hub in Oklahoma City and will function under the framework of the Small Business Administration’s Mentor-Protégé Program. This collaboration is designed to leverage the strengths of both AAR and KIRA, thereby positioning the venture for significant growth and ensuring the effective delivery of training to Navy pilots.
John Cooper, Senior Vice President of AAR Global Government and Defense, expressed enthusiasm about the joint venture, highlighting its importance in addressing an urgent need within the US Navy. He asserted that the combined capabilities of AAR and KIRA would deliver exceptional pilot training critical for the Department of Defense’s national mission.
The E-6B TACAMO aircraft, which has been operational since the 1980s, is currently undergoing modernization to meet contemporary “no-fail” coordination requirements for airspace operations. As part of this modernization effort, the Navy is set to replace the E-6B Mercury with the new E-130J aircraft. This next-generation asset will be based on Lockheed Martin’s C-130J-30 Super Hercules military transport aircraft, which is currently in production and expected to be delivered next year. Following the initial handover, two additional aircraft are planned for construction.
Once commissioned, the E-130J will operate out of Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma and will be managed by the Strategic Communications Wing 1, reinforcing the Navy’s commitment to enhancing its operational capabilities in airborne nuclear command and control. The establishment of KALS LLC and the introduction of the E-130J mark significant steps forward in maintaining the readiness and effectiveness of the US Navy’s vital mission.
