The story
The E-6 Mercury is the US Navy's airborne radio link to its ballistic missile submarines. All 16 were later upgraded to E-6B standard, which added the job of airborne command post. If you see one, it is almost certainly a routine sortie: this is a mission that never takes a day off.
The E-6 can trail a 26,000-foot wire antenna to communicate with deeply submerged submarines via very low frequency (VLF) radio.
Quick answers
How do you identify a E-6 Mercury?
Looks like an all-white Boeing 707 with pods on the wingtips. US Navy nuclear command aircraft. On station it can reel out a wire antenna miles long.
What does a E-6 Mercury sound like?
Four CFM56 engines on a 707 airframe — a classic four-engine jet sound with a very serious mission.
How fast is the E-6 Mercury?
Top speed is 522 kts.
How far can the E-6 Mercury fly?
Range is about 6,600 nmi.
How big is the E-6 Mercury?
It is 150 ft 4 in long and 148 ft 4 in across the wings.
When did the E-6 Mercury first fly?
Its first flight was in 1987.
How many E-6 Mercurys have been built?
16 built.
How rare is a E-6 Mercury in Bogey?
LEGENDARY. The top tier. Spotters plan trips around a catch like this. Your first E-6 Mercury catch is worth 1,000 points.
