E-6 Mercury Poster - Airborne Nuclear Command Relay

The Boeing E-6B Mercury performs one of the most sobering missions in military aviation: maintaining continuous communication with the US Navy's ballistic missile submarine fleet as part of the nuclear command and control architecture. Operating as the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) and the Take Charge And Move Out (TACAMO) platform, the E-6B provides the communication link between national command authority and nuclear submarines that may be operating at depth, with their own communication systems offline. The aircraft trails a very low frequency (VLF) wire antenna that can be several miles long when deployed, transmitting signals that penetrate seawater to reach submarines that have received no other communication.

Based on the 707 airframe like the E-3 Sentry, but with a very different mission, 16 E-6Bs were built for the Navy in the late 1980s and early 1990s, replacing older EC-130Q Hercules aircraft in the TACAMO role. Each aircraft is capable of extended missions with aerial refueling, and they operate on continuous rotating alert schedules to ensure the submarine communication link is never broken. The E-6B also absorbed the airborne command post mission previously performed by EC-135 aircraft, consolidating nuclear command functions. As of 2025, the E-6B fleet is undergoing Block II upgrades to modernize its mission systems while the Navy evaluates longer-term replacement options.

Our prints are museum-quality posters made on thick matte paper. They add a wonderful accent to your room or office and are sure to brighten any environment.

• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan

We print your poster especially for you once you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Printing our posters on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction. Thank you for your understanding and making thoughtful purchasing decisions!