E-6 Mercury

Description: Provides secure, survivable, jam-resistant strategic communications relay for fleet ballistic missile submarines.

Background: Boeing derived this aircraft from its commercial 707 to replace the aging EC-130Q and perform the Navy's TACAMO ("Take Charge and Move Out") mission of linking ballistic missile forces with national command authority during time of crisis. The aircraft carries a low frequency communication system and wire antenna several thousand feet long that is winched in and out of the aircraft. The first E-6 was accepted by the Navy in August 1989.

General Characteristics

Primary Function: Airborne command post for fleet ballistic missile submarines
Contractor: Boeing
Unit Cost: $ 141.7 million
Propulsion: Four CFM-56-2A-2 High bypass turbofans
Length: 150 feet, 4 inches (45.8 meters)
Wingspan: 148 feet, 4 inches (45.2 meters)
Height: 42 feet 5 inches (12.9 meters)
Weight: Max gross, take-off: 341,000 pounds (153,900 kg)
Ceiling: Above 40,000 feet
Speed: 522 knots, 600 miles (960 km) per hour
Crew: 14
Range: 6,600 nautical miles (7,590 statute miles, 12,144 km) with 6 hours loiter time
Armament: None

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