It Could Nuke a Country: The E-6 Mercury is America's Deadliest Plane Ever

The Boeing E-6 Mercury (formerly E-6 Hermes) is an airborne command post and communications relay based on the Boeing 707-320. The original E-6A manufactured by Boeing's defense division entered service with the United States Navy in July 1989, replacing the EC-130Q. This platform, now modified to the E-6B standard, conveys instructions from the National Command Authority to fleet ballistic missile submarines (see communication with submarines), a mission known as TACAMO (Take Charge And Move Out).
Here is the Deadliest Aircraft the United States Of America Ever Built
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Thank You

[@tq6407]

Those planes also have backups that can launch nukes which are sea based.

[@tlamn1905]

You should see how they make the ULF Antenna point straight down!

[@dbliss4]

I was going to ask about that

[@kalebabel1348]

What are you talking about

[@iinvaderrand]

They fly at near stall speed in a corkscrew with the antennas at full extension. Hence the long wire. The antenna cone centers out and points straight down.

[@chadalbee5655]

Command control/command control communicate platform able to withstand emp. 1 in the air at ALL times.

[@marcusmcclennon8725]

I used to guard these at tinker AFB. A 12 hour shift walking around the plane in the middle of the summer. 😅😅

[@Fanboy_of_everything]

Thank you for your service, however unglorious you may think it is, it was vital.

[@christiankeyes9191]

Same but I was at Travis AFB. Very boring haha

[@susangoines5376]

The very last thing you see in this video is what my dad’s job was, the Boom Operator. His job was to guide the boom to refuel the plane below them. We were at Tinker AFB, Travis AFB, Beale AFB among more. Dad was with the Strategic Air Command for over 20 years.

[@kyleethakur]

That’s amazing. I just saw one land at Beale which is why I looked up this video!

[@terrycastor8299]

My brother was a Boomer as well. 7 tours in Vietnam. Distinguished Flying medal for one mission later in that war.

[@747heavyboeing3]

Thanks to your Father's service Theses E 6s can stay airborne for 72 hours thanks to aerial refueling. Probably longer but limited to 72 hours.

[@bronyguy6103]

Thank you for your service E-6 Mercury

[@giorgosgeorgiadis1383]

I Love America from Greece 🇬🇷 👍

[@ZR1Terror]

Thank you

[@jeanettehollabaugh1108]

We lo love Greece, from Texas. WWG1WGA

[@bilithic7421]

Thank you my friend, that means a lot.

[@bilithic7421]

​@@jeanettehollabaugh1108 West Texas here, agreed.

[@jeanettehollabaugh1108]

5:20

[@sparrowhawk3894]

As a former crew member, you can be assured we consistently trained and tested to carryout the mission described in the film. Each person was monitored personally for temperament and reliability. If ordered by NCA we would do exactly that; bring civilization to an end.

[@jaredpinkard7351]

I found this video because I was watching adsb exchange and seen this plane coming over South Carolina towards my home in Georgia it was kind of creepy knowing that this plane along with the Sam mission is flying over my little corner of America and knowing what it does and is capable of but I sleep good at night knowing people are willing to end the world on my behalf LOL it is definitely a necessary evil

[@jaredpinkard7351]

And thank you for doing what you did keeping me and my family safe

[@axes48]

Lame

[@sparrowhawk3894]

@@waynehumphrey2109 ACS

[@bruverA1]

i wouldnt wish that on anyone

[@benhudman7911]

The CFM 56 turbofan gives the airplane a nice range and also keeps the neighborhood happy with the low noise signature.

[@kattphloxworthych]

A slight nitpick: The CFM-56 is a high-bypass turboFAN, not a turbojet. Turbojets rely entirely on the turbomachinery exhaust for thrust and use no fans.

[@roberthill7335]

Yeah. And the E-3 and B-52 both use the same low-bypass turbofan for power. They're both smokey SOBs.

[@randybaumery5090]

Thank you!!!!

[@carlhuffman454]

My wife and i traveled to new Mexico last year, and I saw one of these planes taking off from the Air Force base outside Albuquerque. (I can't remember the name of the base.) I noticed the larger engines on this plane, as well as the large "canoe like feature" atop the fuselage. It was painted in a sand color and had a number of other domes and blisters on the fuselage. I did not know what it was, until I found this video. Thanks for posting it. This sort of thing really interests me, since I'm an old spook from the early 1970s in Berlin.

[@sc1scotty]

Kirtland AFB

[@semco72057]

I remember seeing some of those aircraft while in the Air Force and wondered what their mission was as they looked great.

[@nickdtv9401]

My mom was known as “doc” on the plane from 95-97. She was the only nurse/doc on board so she was tasked with keeping the crew healthy, because the planes have to be up at all times.

[@irenesmith7349]

HMMM...we never had "docs" that actually flew with us. Maybe she was in a different squadron?

[@marcuswelch4515]

F-35 Lightning II: I am America's deadliest plane ever! F-22 Raptor: No me! E-6 Mercury: *Chuckles softly in corner*

[@alberthenriette8976]

When did the F.....planes earns these awards?

[@marcuswelch4515]

@@alberthenriette8976 I was referring to combat potential and general perception. Earlier-gen planes can be credited with having done more actual work so far.

[@alberthenriette8976]

@@marcuswelch4515 ok..I got you

[@FrankLeeRoberts]

The plane shown at 3:30 is not actually a 707 but a C-135. Tail Number 60-0376. Even though similar looking and based on the same airframe, The Civilian designation at the time of build was actually the Boeing 717 which yes, was also the designation of a completely different airframe many years later. The 717 had completely different internal systems (Hydraulic and Avionics) as well as Fuel tanks in place of the large lower cargo area normally found on a 707.

[@irenesmith7349]

Exactly! It's a 737.

[@747heavyboeing3]

Excellent video and I subscribed as a result.

[@davidhudson5452]

Yea Tho I Walk Through The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death I Fear No Evil

[@azmike1956]

Excellent!! I love the time I worked as a D.o.D. contractor! Research, development & testing for the Army (M.U.S.T. Hospital system), start carts for the Cobra/Apache helicopters, USAF (Recon airborne pods & C/T's for the FA-15) plus refurbished ground power units & upgraded APU'S for the M1A2 Abrams tank programs for the U.S.M.C. & later on the Army. Also worked on the "Under Armor" program for the M.C. All my love brothers & sisters!

[@josephbaker4905]

I'm proud to say that I honor your service. In whatever way you can give in the Long line of musts. Thank you from a proud Canadian 😁.

[@ned272]

You put a lot of info in that post lol. Careful

[@yurikorosal4813]

I used to fly on the E-6b. It’s a beautiful plane. I was an ift in VQ-3. Loved it.

[@sparrowhawk3894]

Hey YR, I an old timer. VQ-4 Pax River, crew 7 ACS from 72-76.

[@Frank009-fl]

is it normal for these planes to fly out regularly? lately I regularly spot them on global exchange flight radar.

[@irdairframer]

Former tacomite as well 08-13, 16-20.

[@irdairframer]

@@waynehumphrey2109 did my shore your at ACU-4, then put in orders for the boat and got orders back to VQ-3.

[@robertkman7857]

@@sparrowhawk3894 My father was in VQ_4 at the same time. Heck I was born in St. Marys county Maryland. Is there a way we could talk but not here on You Tube. Not sure on how to get you my info. My mom and dad always went to the reunions and my father is in the hall of fame for the Tacamo association.

[@irenesmith7349]

As a former VQ3 aircrew member, this was the best duty in my 20 years of serving.

[@husseinalsharaa202]

Great channel.

[@joeboi1342]

Love ur channel

[@thomasarmstrong8228]

You tube Military platforms should get together and produce a shocking combination of Military films based on our ability to keep the peace through overwhelming ability to manage such systems when Satellites are shot out of the sky. Such a scenario in the South China Sea and in the Taiwan straight might play out soon there and has many nervous over those tensions! Great info and video! Thanks

[@rickhale4348]

The 707 were one of my favorite jets to fly on. It's quite, dependable, and comfortable when flying was a pleasure. The electronics specifications given I'm sure are inaccurate and are much more complex and capable.

[@merleisbell4445]

Interestlng

[@btaos1625]

Sure were smokers! Lol.

[@Davidovar34]

quiet?

[@rickhale4348]

@@Davidovar34 Yes, jet not loud. The last year or two I noticed I was having some difficulty with phonics, the sounds of letters, consonants and vowels. My doctor told me not to worry about it but it's still concerning. Getting old is an experience you can't prepare for. You have to make frequent accommodations for it. How our body works and how our brain is wired is still beyond our complete understanding and things wear and don't perform as well. I'm not stupid and worthless yet. LOL.

[@oseibonsu3071]

Great one 👍

[@unconfusedconfusion2971]

America is in creative mode when it comes military machines. Money isn’t worth anything to them. Because they have so much of it. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

[@joeboi1342]

unconfused confusion I’m American and love them but aren’t we like a couple trillion dollars in debt

[@unconfusedconfusion2971]

Joe Boi about 4, trillion.

[@joeboi1342]

unconfused confusion yea

[@matteotivan3414]

It's easy to manipulate experimental programs like the KC-X

[@matteotivan3414]

@American Enthusiast I'm sorry for the mis-typing , you're right

[@vytasruseckas8388]

Iove america from Iithuania

[@dasenya1761]

How are baltic opinions about the u.s?

[@vytasruseckas8388]

@@dasenya1761 ok

[@10MinutestoRouletteFortune]

Most amazing thing is the 5 mile long antenna.

[@christophermorales1509]

Glad someone else noticed that. Very well endowed 😄

[@aerohk]

Love all those 707 based jets

[@lordtutinean90]

Deadliest... 😔Amen...🙏🏿😔

[@toyotaandlexussupercharged6699]

It looks beautiful

[@koolhub6137]

I love technical areas. electronics and special equipment.

[@rubixtwist3607]

Never heard of it but nice

[@jkjungquist]

I wonder what that bump on the top of the plane is for? Looks like a super coool plane!

[@jaybee9269]

It’s a SHF (Super High Frequency) antenna. Don’t ask me what that means though…E-4 also has one.

[@emanuellopez6147]

I’ve seen one of these flying to march air base it is nice .

[@pouya5321]

Thank you

[@peethambera4474]

Very good , USA, always introducing always the Most Advanced Technology in Defense system .The world is always looking at your invention .

[@T39582]

The Day of Rome's fall is near

[@georgemallory797]

The CFM-56 engines are turboFANS, not turboJETS. We haven't used turbojets on large transport type aircraft since the early generation 707's.

[@bruverA1]

amazing. the dots are connecting!

[@girlinthesouth850]

These are so cool

[@solepropt]

I was watching a couple of them today on flightradar24 they were in Texas along with some KC-135s

[@Losthonkyjohn]

Watching them today on there, pretty interesting flight patterns...

[@josueluna7532]

That’s a weird looking AC130

[@madman671000]

EC-130Q buddy, it was hard to hear

[@thisusernamesucks5373]

@@madman671000 r/wooosh

[@mohammadsaida4603]

Too nice video showing ultra ability of US airforce ready standing against every not suspected attitudes, situation

[@madman671000]

US Navy Aircraft

[@sparrowhawk3894]

@@madman671000 And Naval Aircrew !

[@madman671000]

@@sparrowhawk3894 Yup, I spent 13 years as an FE on the A and B models.

[@sparrowhawk3894]

@@madman671000 Good to meet you, i was ACS in the old days 72-76 on the G/Q model. Crew 7 Pax River.

[@747heavyboeing3]

Very interesting airplane! I just saw one a few days ago. Up on KZbin.

[@bobthompson4319]

Iv always wondered what a 720b or similar 4 engine airliner would do with 4 GE9x turbo fans that make 105,000 lbf of thrust at takeoff. A 720b weights 234,000lbs fully loaded and 4 of those engines would make 420,000lbs of thrust. Meaning it can go straight up like a rocket with all that thrust. But it would be very difficult to make this aircraft because the wings and engine pylons were never ment to hold up to all that but it would be very cool. And might even brake the sound barrier. Lol

[@azmike1956]

Bob Thompson, a number of DC8 (Super 60's?) were retro fitted with high bypass turbofans. Emery had some with their red/white livery. Looked a lot like what a 4 engine 757 would look like minus the high stance. Very sporty for a large plane! Big fan of both but never had the chance to work on a DC8.

[@Coletrain222]

Just saw one of these doing insane circles around Charleston the last 2 hours.

[@mikea4015]

Been watching one of these flying over my house for months now coming out of Travis Air Force Base

[@jafojafo5412]

If Land, Sea and Air ‘Looking Glass Command’ all go out of touch at the same time …. Is there a ‘deadman switch’ command for total launch response?

[@josephkanowitz6875]

POTUS has to enter a code every five minutes or it goes off, ב''ה.

[@brussell639]

I'm kind of surprised that military is still flying so many 707s.

[@thehunterstruck]

Shows how reliable the military sees the airframe to be

[@irenesmith7349]

It's actually a 737

[@joelsothern3632]

Thanks interesting

[@constantinewahlang2390]

Great

[@silentespionage]

Saw the thumbnail and thought it was the Max 8 lol

[@dr.fillme7450]

There are 2 or 3 these planes at the naval base in Pax River MD. They are heavily guarded at all times. Wouldn’t want someone getting ahold of one of these😅

[@chrismichael216]

It is a nice platform but I would argue that it's predessor wielded more power. The Air Force EC-135 of SAC during the hieight of the cold war could control the entire triad of nuclear commands at a time when America's aresonal was much more widespread.

[@sc1scotty]

You're wrong and the reason TACAMO was created during the Cold War.

[@GeorgeJansen]

But I thought you guys were going to start getting rid of all those things starting January 2017? Love, Vladimir P❤️❤️❤️

[@sheeeeesh9173]

Can you try it on China?

[@classicgalactica5879]

Would certainly like to.

[@yh774]

The Commi-China

[@alberthenriette8976]

What goes around, comes around.

[@josephbaker4905]

Would not like to see another gross use of nuclear weapons. But if totally necessary then drop a 100 Megaton mother fucker on them and watch them burn.

[@jamesmoore4559]

Former members of this mission...how often if ever, were the 5 mile long antennas deployed for training exercises?

[@digger105337]

@6:50 Those yoke movements seem a bit extreme for what the aircraft was doing? Sim?

[@TheZenaMan]

When you're coming in for a landing at low speed, greater control inputs are required as the control surfaces lose effectiveness. It's the real thing, and you get a feel for it.

[@MercFE8235]

707 is not hydraulically boosted on either the ailerons or elevator... It is a pure fly by cable aircraft. It takes a bit of effort to fly it.

[@andrewdavies3584]

E-6B airborne over DC now

[@krissymichelle8215]

And on west coast

[@vids4791]

I believe that's because President Trump just tested positive for COVID and the media reported it. Just security protocol to scramble such planes to ward off enemies in case they decide to attack.

[@honda8720]

I wanna know about More about AWACS

[@_Breakdown]

E-6 Mercury - - so its purpose is mostly to relay signals over longer distances (sky, land, sea, space?) 6:14 - - EC-135 looking glass

[@olasiaaisalo264]

This is Americas E - 6 Mercury.The Dedlies Plane Ever. SUPER. SUPER. SUPER.

[@tiltedalyssa]

i live right by a base n this thing flies over my house every week. so sick

[@starshipwhite]

Sorry, I'm not forgetting the F-22.

[@robertj5888]

If we can just make it to me dying of old age in my sleep that would be preferred. The old test footage showing paint evaporating off cars before the shockwave hits looks hella painful. I can only imagine what that would do to polyester, cotton, and flesh.

[@peddy9102]

Hee i haven't ever never witnessed any nuke explosion by my own eyes in reality before. Maybe E6 Mercury can help 😁

[@anotherdave5107]

The AF has said it's phasing out all 707 based military aircraft due to parts being unavailable. What happens to the E-6?

[@sc1scotty]

TACAMO is coming full circle. The E6 will be replaced by the C130.

[@benhudman7911]

A turbofan is like a big shrouded propeller under turbine power. A turbojet is a pure jet that converts fuel into noise and thrust.

[@benhudman7911]

@@waynehumphrey2109 I see you have familiarity with SSBB propulsion theory. Tell me, do you think it’s a good idea to re-engine B52’s with European engines? What about the risk of supply chain corruption?

[@h8losing997]

On the thumbnail I thought that was a 737 lol

[@robertsullivan4773]

Worked on the E6 program before I retired. Some of it was so Black you didn't know you were working on it😁

[@SIGSEGV1337]

Stuff like that scares me, imagine not realising you're working on a weapon

[@robertsullivan4773]

That's why they call it need to know. Sometimes it's best not to know in doing your job. It wasn't Meant to make you uneasy. It happens often when working on the darkest of programs. I know I did it for almost forty years.

[@robertsullivan4773]

@@waynehumphrey2109 It was 16yo ago. Advanced planning had a program name that was classified I still remember it from the TS meetings I attended. I still will keep it to myself it's more fun that way.

[@aiyanyaqoob2203]

Isn't that the same plane that was circling Denver about 4 years ago??

[@mundo19841]

Two of these were in the air yesterday morning on US Space. Not a good sign.TACAMO has been activated

[@josephbaker4905]

It is an important plane, bit not the deadliest. There are many planes that can drop nuclear weapons as well. So I say the B-2, B-52, B1-B, as well as many other planes capable of dropping nuclear tipped cruise missiles are just as deadly. And the first three have bigger payloads.

[@cadaver1372]

I agree, but with this plane it’s more like, “ I’ll be taking control of these missiles thank you”

[@platinumchillheart3044]

@@cadaver1372 true

[@ShortArmOfGod]

These planes are deadlier. They can control and direct every warhead being launched, not just what a single plane can carry.

[@rogergittings1971]

I think the plane can carry cruise missiles maybe, but a B-2, B-1, and B-52 cannot carry more nuclear payload than a Ohio class submarine of which takes its orders from the E-6. That was the point.

[@MFSINPSA]

5 mile antenna is fascinating to me

[@jamesorsby7553]

I'm always glad to see the American Trident ll D5 missle launching out of the sea... each one can carry a 14 100kt thermonuclear warhead MIRV. The US has 336... pretty scary stuff.

[@caribbaviator7058]

E-6 passes our house a lot respect to these guys do not nuke my house!

[@Poop-wv7cc]

I saw one flying over my house yesterday

[@Poop-wv7cc]

USA#1 !! What’s that mean?

[@timf6916]

Cool

[@tomjones4318]

I wonder if the hump is room for an antenna reel.

[@frankcessna7345]

The “hump” is a satcom.

[@not_the_rizzler]

I just found that on Flightradar24 near LA

[@michaeldelahunty2440]

Do other nations have the same aircraft ?

[@raymiles691]

This craft operates in modes of which awareness is extended to🇺🇸

[@zerep11]

Sooo ... *Looking Glass* is alive and doing very well.

[@cityofjoy8830]

Cheers from 🇮🇳 👍

[@SIGSEGV1337]

Why are they active right now?

[@sc1scotty]

When can an adversary strict? At anytime. Take 9/11

[@thomasjcox]

So where does the E-6 compare to the E-4B?

[@pulchralutetia]

How are these planes protected from SAMs/ballistic etc. missiles? They look highly vulnerable to missile attacks.

[@w0mblemania]

Ballistic missiles don't usually have the accuracy or maneuverability to hit a target in flight, let alone a slow moving target. An EMP attack via a ballistic missile *is* a possibility. You'd have to think the E-6 is very hardened against EMP attack, but hardened doesn't mean impregnable. As for SAM sites, well the E-6 would have to stray within the range of a SAM site, and htat's not going to happen. They're going to keep well away from any battlefield. e.g. continental USA. Same thing for enemy jet fighters, interceptors etc. To get to the E-6 they would have to first get to where the E-6 is, and get past any defence screens (SAMs, interceptors).

[@sprocket9200]

Sounds like there’s more information here than we might want our adversaries to have.

[@sc1scotty]

Quite the opposite. We want the world to know the its capabilities.. Nuclear Deterrence.

[@Youneverknow100]

Can confirm , was plane captain on these

[@WolfhuntFayed]

is grounded for at least over a year.

[@RellyOhBoy]

Unfortunate that we live in a world that these planes are even necessary.

[@jamesletourneau1968]

This kinda acts like the Fathomed Soviets Invisible hand, where if the Russians were nuked and no one could launch the nukes, they would launch on their own this tech was prevalent during the Cold War. It was either the Invisible hand or The Iron hand, I forget.

[@scottfailing7045]

i heard there 2 one east and west planes going in circles in USA on April 2022

[@brussell639]

CFM56 is a turbofan, not a turbojet.

[@timmcpherson5831]

Definitely a cool looking plane........but with a SINISTER mission.

[@jtazevedo7104]

Wow

[@stephenjacks8196]

My friend flew a NATO AWACS in the 70s and 80s when Reagan was pushing Soviet buttons. He noted his plane would be the first one shot down if Russia attacked. Underwater submarines don't recieve radio frequency signals. Worldwide low frequency transmitter I think is Wisconsin. Low frequency antennas a many miles long, hence that plane cannot directly communicate with subs until they get a command to come to periscope depth to recieve a message.

[@stephenjacks8196]

@American Enthusiast US practiced brinksmanship by skimming near or just over boundaries to listen to Soviet responses. AWACS as listening post. The surprise tank attack expected from the Russians would require stealth (Russians?) or blindind NATO sensors. Even in the 1970 it would have easy to dissappear a 707. Now we have satellites. I have seen different assessments of EMP resistance. Appears even if equipment is shielded, residual atmospheric ionization will compromise radar and communications. China is mapping the ocean bottom, possibly for 2000mile autonomous torpedo; no GPS underwater and aerial cruise missiles also use maps if GPS unavailable.

[@sc1scotty]

You have no clue what you are talking about.. Submarines do not need to surface to communicate. They need only string the antenna near the surface. The Wisconsin test was ELF not VLF.

[@NoticerOfficial]

If you haven’t watched “by dawns early light“ go put it on when this video is over

[@dannymemmory5094]

The E 4 is the Doomsday Aircraft

[@dannymemmory5094]

@@waynehumphrey2109 They are equally obsolete

[@pranudeeptaupdated195]

World power.....

[@hazrdd]

Damn

[@generalwarhammer9722]

That title makes me think that this is a villainous plane