Ace79 filed the following on the FlightGlobal AirSpace Forum:
The U.S. Navy’s E-6B performed a successful functional check flight after an eight-month modification. The flight took place last week at the Boeing Defense, Space & Security facility in Wichita.
"Our team has done a great job of overcoming challenges on a developmental program to make our Functional Check Flight on schedule," said Andy Reheis, the Navy Programs program manger for Boeing’s Global Transport & Executive Systems business. "To get a first installation of IPBE (Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion) on schedule says a lot about our team and their support to our customer."
The primary mission of the E-6B, a modified Boeing 707, is as a communications relay platform for very low frequency transmissions to the nation’s nuclear forces. The current modification is for the IPBE phase 1. IPBE program is designed to give the E-6B greater connectivity, Boeing is teamed with Rockwell Collins on the program.
"The IPBE program takes the E-6B into the digital age and we look forward to delivering this capability to our Navy customer," said Reheis.
Boeing Global Transport & Executive Systems is headquartered in Wichita, Kan., and is responsible for supporting all Boeing aircraft in the executive fleet. In addition to the E-6B GTES supports VC-25, C-32A, C-40B,C as well as the Navy’s C-40A and the National Command Authority’s E-4B.
See a related story on an E-4B's return to service last week at the link below:
http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2010/02/boeing-wichita-returns-e-4b-naoc.html