nuclear-news

US “Doomsday” Plane, Capable Of Surviving Nuclear War, Just Got A Big Revamp

The E-6B Mercury has been called the Pentagon’s deadliest aircraft, even though it doesn’t carry any weapons.

IFL Science, TOM HALE 9 June 23

The US Navy has just received a revamped “Doomsday” plane that has been kitted out with new communications hardware to connect the President’s “big red button” to the nation’s nuclear forces.

Defense contractor Northrop Grumman recently returned the first E-6B Mercury aircraft to the US Navy after installing five new kits onboard that improve its “aircraft command, control, and communications functions,” according to an announcement on the company’s website. 

The renovation was all part of a $111 million contract between Northrop Grumman and the US Navy. …………………

What is the E-6B Mercury “Doomsday” plane?

The E-6B Mercury is essentially a flying command post that helps to relay instructions from the National Command Authority – the ultimate authority that decides whether to “push the red button” – and the nuclear forces of the US.

Given its potential role in nuclear war, the aircraft is often nicknamed the “doomsday” plane.

The idea is that an airborne command post is a much more reliable communications outpost for military commands in the event of a crisis like, let’s say, a nuclear war. Even if the worst does happen, the E-6B Mercury fleet will allow decision-makers to maintain communication with their nuclear weapon delivery systems……..  https://www.iflscience.com/us-doomsday-plane-capable-of-surviving-nuclear-war-just-got-a-big-revamp-69321

June 10, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | USA, weapons and war