PLANEFAG UPDATE
Nov. 13, 2020 20:08UTC
CURRENTLY IN THE AIR - Items of interest
Boeing E-6 Mercury (airborne command post and comms relay)
STRATOTANKERS
Project Loon High Altitude Balloon
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Boeing E-6 No callsign
Stratotankers:
BAT51
HUSKR01
RATS59
SNAP85
TOTAL71
HBAL094/Project LOON
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Info on E-6 Mercury
The Boeing E-6 Mercury (formerly E-6 Hermes) is an airborne command post and
communications relay based on the Boeing 707. The original E-6A manufactured
by Boeing's defense division entered service with the United States Navy in July
1989, replacing the EC-130Q. This platform, now modified to the E-6B standard,
conveys instructions from the National Command Authority to fleet ballistic missile
submarines (see communication with submarines), a mission known as TACAMO
("Take Charge And Move Out"). The E-6B model deployed in October 1998 also
has the ability to remotely control Minuteman ICBMs using the Airborne Launch
Control System. The E-6B replaced Air Force EC-135Cs in the "Looking Glass"
role, providing command and control of U.S. nuclear forces should ground-based
control become inoperable. With production lasting until 1991, the E-6 was the final
new derivative of the Boeing 707 to be built.[2]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_E-6_Mercury