Northrop Grumman Selected ThinKom Antenna for Navy Fleet
The U.S. Navy has selected ThinKom antenna systems to modernize communications for its E-130J Phoenix II fleet.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Northrop Grumman has chosen ThinKom Solutions to provide its ThinAir SATCOM antenna systems for the U.S. Navy E-130J Phoenix II aircraft. This selection aims to modernize strategic command-and-control connectivity for the fleet.
Why it matters
The E-130J Phoenix II is replacing legacy platforms to ensure survivable, high-throughput communications for the nation's nuclear deterrence forces. Maintaining this connectivity is critical for high-consequence operations.
The ThinAir SATCOM systems use Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub phased-array architecture to support multi-band communications. The design features a low-drag housing to minimize aerodynamic impact on the E-130J Phoenix II aircraft.
The players
Northrop Grumman
This American multinational aerospace and defense technology company is the lead contractor developing the U.S. Navy E-130J Phoenix II fleet.
ThinKom Solutions
This company specializes in the design and manufacture of high-performance aeronautical satellite communication antenna systems.
U.S. Navy
This branch of the United States Armed Forces is responsible for maintaining maritime and strategic nuclear deterrence forces.
The details
The antenna system is capable of operating with both geostationary and non-geostationary orbit satellite constellations to ensure persistent links. It is designed to support the TACAMO mission, providing reliable command-and-control capabilities during critical operations.
Timeline
October 6, 2026: ThinKom officially announced the selection of its antenna technology.
The Tech Race
This integration follows a pattern set by the TACAMO strategic communications mission to maintain hardened and resilient nuclear command-and-control infrastructure. The move highlights the broader industry shift toward upgrading legacy aeronautical platforms with advanced phased-array satellite systems.
The implementation of these high-throughput antennas ensures that vital command-and-control links remain active during sensitive operations. This update provides the U.S. military with improved connectivity capabilities compared to previous legacy systems.
The takeaway
The deployment of modern phased-array systems replaces outdated communications technology to protect national security interests. Future integration efforts will focus on ensuring these systems maintain peak performance across various satellite constellations.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest advancements in Telecommunications technology.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Satnews.
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