Illinois-based aviation services provider AAR Corp. and industry partner KIRA have formed a joint venture to support in-flight training for US Navy E-6B Mercury pilots.
The business, KALS LCC, is tasked with managing a two-year competency assignment for future operators of the Boeing-made Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) aircraft employed for airborne nuclear controls between the US strategic command, defense secretary, and the president.
KALS will facilitate work at its Oklahoma City hub under the Small Business Administration’s Mentor-Protégé Program framework.
The consortium noted that within the newly formed business, each will leverage their respective expertise while “positioning it for future growth.”
“We are excited to help solve an urgent need of the US Navy through this joint venture,” AAR Global Government and Defense SVP John Cooper stated.
“The combined capabilities of AAR and KIRA will ensure the Navy receives outstanding pilot training for the Department’s critical national mission.”
Next-Gen TACAMO Asset
The US Navy’s E-6B TACAMO asset, operational since the 1980s, is currently being modernized to address “no-fail” coordination requirements in the modern airspace.
Under this initiative, the force will replace the Mercury with the E-130J, which is modeled on Lockheed Martin’s C-130J-30 Super Hercules military transport aircraft.
The plane is now in production and is scheduled to be delivered next year. Two more aircraft are expected to be constructed following the handover.
Once commissioned, the E-130J will be based at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and will be supervised by the Strategic Communications Wing 1.
