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Air Force

Air Force To Retire BACN In 2028, Use Hybrid SATCOM Terminal As Bridge

Frank Wolfe

Thursday, April 30th, 2026

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Air Force To Retire BACN In 2028, Use Hybrid SATCOM Terminal As Bridge

Pictured is a U.S. Air Force photo of an E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node at Robins AFB, Ga. on June 16, 2025.

As part of a "generational shift away from legacy systems and towards next-generation" ones in air and space, the Air Force plans to divest its fleet of eight E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communication Node (BACN) aircraft in fiscal 2028, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach said on Thursday. "We will fully divest the E-11A in FY 2028, with the Hybrid SATCOM Terminal program providing a near-term bridge in capability," according to Wilsbach's prepared testimony before the House Appropriations Committee's…

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