The story
The E-6B Mercury is the US Navy's airborne link to its ballistic missile submarines — the mission is called TACAMO: Take Charge And Move Out. It can relay orders from the National Command Authority, stand in as STRATCOM's airborne command post, and even remotely control Minuteman missiles from the air. Sixteen were built, and they exist so the chain of command survives the worst day imaginable.
With aerial refueling an E-6B can stay airborne for up to 72 hours — and the E-6 was the final new derivative of the Boeing 707 ever built.
Quick answers
How do you identify a E-6B Mercury?
A gleaming white 707 with almost no windows and pods on the wingtips, based at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. If one orbits the same patch of sky for hours, it is on station doing its job.
What does a E-6B Mercury sound like?
Four CFM56s on a 707 airframe — a classic heavy-jet departure sound, flying a mission most people never think about.
How fast is the E-6B Mercury?
Top speed is 522 kts.
How many people does the E-6B Mercury carry?
Typical configuration: Flight crew + battle staff and communications operators.
How far can the E-6B Mercury fly?
Range is about 6,600 nmi.
How big is the E-6B Mercury?
It is 150 ft 4 in long and 148 ft 4 in across the wings.
When did the E-6B Mercury first fly?
Its first flight was in 1987.
How many E-6B Mercurys have been built?
16 built.
How rare is a E-6B Mercury in Bogey?
LEGENDARY. The top tier. Spotters plan trips around a catch like this. Your first E-6B Mercury catch is worth 1,000 points.
