US Navy receives first modernised E-6B Mercury Block II doomsday aircraft

Northrop Grumman has delivered the E-6B Mercury "new day aircraft" to the US Navy, which has undergone an upgrade programme. The upgrade took more than a year.

Here's What We Know

The E-6B Mercury is an American strategic control and communications aircraft that is also used as a command post by the US Navy. It was recently used to test-fire a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.

The military strategic aeroplane is equipped with a large antenna. It is used to communicate with Ohio-class submarines carrying Trident II (D5) ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.

As part of the modernisation programme, Northrop Grumman has improved command and control functions to facilitate communications with components of the US nuclear triad. "The doomsday aircraft received six key Block II modifications.

Upgrades to the E-6B Mercury began last February. The current contract cost $111 million. The modernisation of the second "doomsday aircraft" will start shortly. It has already arrived at the Northrop Grumman facility in Lake Charles.

Source: Northrop Grumman