1. mars 2023 13:17 – Updated March 1, 2023 1:29 p.m
The US Defense Force has ordered an E-6B Mercury aircraft to be sent to Europe.
The special plane is also referred to as a “doomsday plane” and is specially designed to communicate with nuclear submarines in war and peace.
Why the US is now sending one of its most advanced air forces to Europe is not known, but the very tense situation in the wake of Russia’s full-scale offensive war in Ukraine is probably the backdrop for the US now taking new strategic steps.
The “doomsday plane” is now stationed in Iceland. The aircraft is used by the US Navy to control nuclear forces in the event of a nuclear war. There are several versions of the E-6B Mercury, including the original E-6A and the newer E-6B.
Here you can read everything about the war in Ukraine!
The US has already transferred tens of thousands of troops to Eastern Europe on NATO’s eastern flank. In this way, the USA has secured a solid presence of its own troops should the war escalate, and possibly NATO will be drawn directly into the conflict in open confrontation with Russia.
Can remotely control nuclear submarines
Wednesday writes European Truth that the “doomsday plane” E-6B Mercury is on its way to the European continent where the biggest war since World War II is being fought with enormous civilian and military losses on both sides.
The newspaper cites the European Command of the Armed Forces of the USA (USEUCOM) as its source. The case is also discussed by German media.
The E-6B Mercury is a modification of the Boeing 707, designed specifically for the US Navy. It was developed in the 1980s and has since been used in several conflicts, including the Gulf War and the Afghanistan War.
The aircraft is equipped with powerful electronics and communication systems that ensure its ability to operate even under extreme circumstances. The flight range is more than 11 thousand kilometers.
The aircraft is used for communication with nuclear submarines of strategic purpose carrying intercontinental ballistic missiles. These are Ohio class submarines. Each submarine can carry up to 24 Trident II D5 missiles, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, on board, according to Wikipedia.
Built to survive nuclear war
In its day, the E-6B Mercury was built to survive even a nuclear war, and was therefore nicknamed the “doomsday plane”. It was built to survive even a nuclear war.
The E-6B Mercury is just one of several “doomsday aircraft” that the US Air Force has at its disposal. The intention is that the President of the United States can retain the ability to issue commands in the event of nuclear war.
The aircraft is a flying communications center where the intercontinental ballistic missiles can be remotely controlled from the aircraft.
The crew on board also use traditional analogue flight instruments to navigate to protect against cyber attacks.
One of the world’s most expensive and most important military aircraft
Due to its importance and unique functionality, the E-6B Mercury is considered one of the most expensive and significant military aircraft in the world, writes frazer.com.analytics.
The E-6B Mercury is 46 meters long, approximately 13 meters high and has a wingspan of over 44 meters. The aircraft is equipped with six turbojet engines which enable it to reach speeds of over 900 kilometers per hour and fly at an altitude of over 12 kilometres.
