This week, the US moved a “doomsday plane” to Europe. Based on a Boeing 707, the E-6B Mercury serves as the command center for the US Navy’s nuclear submarines. It is now parked in Iceland. With this move, the US wants to send a clear signal to Russia that they are prepared for anything.
The latest version of the aircraft entered service in 1998 and can communicate directly with ballistic missile submarines of the US fleet. In addition, the Mercury can also remotely control intercontinental ballistic missiles.
LOOK. This is the American E-6B Mercury, which could survive a nuclear explosion
In the event of a nuclear war, the US president could use the aircraft as a flying command center. However, so far this has never happened. Even George W. Bush is said to have favored the Air Force One aircraft after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
After Russia withdrew from the nuclear treaty between the two countries, the transfer of the E-6B Mercury to Iceland can be seen as a measure to re-establish a clear position towards the Kremlin.
140 million dollars
Each E-6B costs the Americans about $140 million. The aircraft is equipped with an array of antennas that can communicate on different frequencies. The aircraft is 46 meters long, has a wingspan of 45 meters and is 12.93 meters high. Its top speed is 981 kilometers per hour and it can fly 11,760 kilometers before it needs to be refueled for the first time.
The crew consists of 22 people, 4 of which are in the cockpit. At least one of the US’s 16 E-6B aircraft is in the air at any given time to be ready for immediate action in the event of an attack.
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