Latest news with #E-6B
Newsweek
10-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Nuclear-Armed US Submarine Surfaces Near Europe
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A United States submarine armed with nuclear ballistic missiles recently operated in the North Atlantic Ocean near Portugal's Azores islands, the Navy confirmed to Newsweek. The presence of USS Maryland, an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, coincided with the deployment of an E-6B Mercury aircraft—capable of communicating with nuclear-armed submarines. The Navy also confirmed to Newsweek the aircraft's presence in the region. Why It Matters While ballistic missile submarines are tasked with deterrent patrols and launching missiles if necessary, it has not been uncommon for the Navy to publicize their movements in recent years—including participating in exercises with other units and preparing for deployments. What To Know The U.S. Navy operates a fleet of 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, each capable of carrying up to 20 submarine-launched ballistic missiles armed with multiple nuclear warheads. The fleet is split between two home ports on the East and West Coasts. CNN Portugal reported that a U.S. nuclear submarine arrived at the port of Praia da Vitória, on the island of Terceira in the Azores, on Sunday afternoon. The report, which described the visit as "extremely rare," identified the submarine as the Pacific-based USS Michigan. Praia da Vitória is in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 944 miles west of mainland Portugal. Commander Tim Gorman, U.S. Sixth Fleet spokesperson, told Newsweek that the submarine in question was the Maryland, not the Michigan. The Maryland—homeported in Kings Bay, Georgia—"operated in the vicinity of the Azores and conducted a brief stop for personnel." It remains unclear whether the Maryland was conducting a patrol at the time. It and its sister ships normally spend 77 days underway at sea with either the Blue or Gold crew. This two-crew system maximizes the submarine's "strategic availability," according to the Navy. This was not the first time the Navy simultaneously deployed a ballistic missile submarine and an E-6B aircraft in the Sixth Fleet's area of responsibility—a vast region that covers half the Atlantic Ocean and all of Europe—according to a map shown on the fleet's website. Just over a year ago, on June 23, one of the Maryland's sister ships, USS Tennessee, was transiting on the surface in the Norwegian Sea while an E-6B aircraft flew overhead. "It's certainly true that where Ohio [ballistic missile submarines] go, in general, an E-6B is usually not that far away," the specialist outlet The War Zone commented at the time. The United States Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS "Maryland" returns to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, on May 26, 2022. The United States Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS "Maryland" returns to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, on May 26, 2022. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Xavier Saldana/U.S. Navy Meanwhile, the Michigan, homeported in Bangor, Washington, is one of four Ohio-class guided-missile submarines. Originally armed with nuclear ballistic missiles, it was later converted to carry up to 154 cruise missiles, used for conventional land-attack missions. Last December, the Navy awarded the crew of the Michigan for "extremely meritorious service" between October 2022 and January 2024, after completing three "missions vital to national security" that significantly enhanced warfighting readiness in the Western Pacific. What People Are Saying Commander Tim Gorman, U.S. Sixth Fleet spokesperson, told Newsweek: "These evolutions enhance the [ballistic missile submarine] force's resupply capabilities, strengthen cooperation between the United States and European Allies, and demonstrate U.S. capability, readiness, flexibility, and continuing commitment as part of NATO." A U.S. Navy spokesperson told Newsweek: "The U.S. Navy can confirm that an E-6B Mercury aircraft did operate over the North Atlantic Ocean. We operate aircraft and vessels wherever international law allows and coordinate closely with allies and partners to address shared security concerns." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the U.S. military will disclose additional activities of its nuclear forces to demonstrate its deterrent capabilities, as other major nuclear-armed states—including Russia and China—continue to modernize and expand their arsenals.
Miami Herald
08-07-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
US Nuclear Command Plane Seen Flying Over Atlantic
A specialized United States Navy aircraft designed to serve as an airborne command post during a nuclear conflict was spotted flying over the North Atlantic Ocean. Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Navy for comment via email. The E-6B aircraft, also known as Mercury, is designed to serve as a communications relay for the nation's nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines and to facilitate the launch of land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to the Naval Air Systems Command. In April, an E-6B aircraft simulated the launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, testing its Airborne Launch Control System-which can launch nuclear-capable missiles if ground-based command centers are compromised. The Atlantic Ocean is a major operating area for the U.S. military. Last month, a pair of U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carriers-USS Gerald R. Ford and USS George H.W. Bush-sailed in formation while conducting resupply operations and ammunition transfers at sea. Citing flight tracking data, TheIntelFrog-an open-source intelligence analyst on X, formerly Twitter-reported spotting an E-6B aircraft conducting flight operations over waters near Portugal's Azores islands on Sunday. The Azores are in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 870 miles west of mainland Portugal. IslandAviation Terceira Azores, a YouTube channel that records takeoffs and landings at Lajes Airport-which is on Terceira Island in the Azores and shares a runway with an air base-uploaded a video on Sunday showing the landing of an E-6B aircraft. The U.S. Air Force describes Lajes Field as the "Crossroads of the Atlantic," serving as a vital mid-Atlantic link for forces traveling to and from Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Details of the E-6B aircraft's temporarily deployment from its main operating base at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma remain unclear. In June 2024, trackers showed the Mercury fleet conducting deployments in Norway and the United Kingdom. The aircraft-derived from the Boeing 707 passenger jet-provides the National Command Authority, including the president and the secretary of defense, with what the Navy describes as "survivable, reliable, and endurable" nuclear command, control and communications. Hans Kristensen, the director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, wrote on X in June 2024: "The [E-6B] aircraft is designed to provide secure communication link between the U.S. National Command Authority and nuclear ballistic missile submarines. E-6Bs occasionally visit Europe but not often." The War Zone, a specialist outlet, wrote on June 5: "Today, the Mercury fleet supports two critical nuclear deterrence mission sets: a Navy one called 'Take Charge And Move Out' (TACAMO) and an Air Force one referred to simply as the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP), but better known by the nickname Looking Glass." TACAMO involves the relaying of orders to the Navy's ballistic missile submarines, while the Looking Glass mission relays orders to the Air Force's nuclear-capable bombers and silo-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. The aging E-6B fleet-which includes 16 aircraft in service-is scheduled to be replaced by the newer E-130J aircraft, maintaining a survivable communication link between the National Command Authority and the U.S.'s air-, land- and sea-based nuclear forces. Related Articles McDonald's Announces Breakfast Menu ChangeUS Flexes Air Power With Ally in Contested South China SeaIran Contradicts Donald Trump on TalksIran's Army Gives Missile Update: Thousands Ready to Launch 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
08-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
US Nuclear Command Plane Seen Flying Over Atlantic
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A specialized United States Navy aircraft designed to serve as an airborne command post during a nuclear conflict was spotted flying over the North Atlantic Ocean. Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Navy for comment via email. Why It Matters The E-6B aircraft, also known as Mercury, is designed to serve as a communications relay for the nation's nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines and to facilitate the launch of land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to the Naval Air Systems Command. In April, an E-6B aircraft simulated the launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, testing its Airborne Launch Control System—which can launch nuclear-capable missiles if ground-based command centers are compromised. A United States Navy E-6B aircraft arriving at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on September 17, 2024. A United States Navy E-6B aircraft arriving at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on September 17, 2024. Tech. Sgt. Chris Thornbury/U.S. Air Force The Atlantic Ocean is a major operating area for the U.S. military. Last month, a pair of U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carriers—USS Gerald R. Ford and USS George H.W. Bush—sailed in formation while conducting resupply operations and ammunition transfers at sea. What To Know Citing flight tracking data, TheIntelFrog—an open-source intelligence analyst on X, formerly Twitter—reported spotting an E-6B aircraft conducting flight operations over waters near Portugal's Azores islands on Sunday. The Azores are in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 870 miles west of mainland Portugal. US Navy E-6B Mercury using tactical hex #AF049C as CRISP77. CRISP77 is temporarily deployed to Lajes AB in the Azores, Portugal. — TheIntelFrog (@TheIntelFrog) July 6, 2025 IslandAviation Terceira Azores, a YouTube channel that records takeoffs and landings at Lajes Airport—which is on Terceira Island in the Azores and shares a runway with an air base—uploaded a video on Sunday showing the landing of an E-6B aircraft. The U.S. Air Force describes Lajes Field as the "Crossroads of the Atlantic," serving as a vital mid-Atlantic link for forces traveling to and from Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Details of the E-6B aircraft's temporarily deployment from its main operating base at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma remain unclear. In June 2024, trackers showed the Mercury fleet conducting deployments in Norway and the United Kingdom. The aircraft—derived from the Boeing 707 passenger jet—provides the National Command Authority, including the president and the secretary of defense, with what the Navy describes as "survivable, reliable, and endurable" nuclear command, control and communications. What People Are Saying Hans Kristensen, the director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, wrote on X in June 2024: "The [E-6B] aircraft is designed to provide secure communication link between the U.S. National Command Authority and nuclear ballistic missile submarines. E-6Bs occasionally visit Europe but not often." The War Zone, a specialist outlet, wrote on June 5: "Today, the Mercury fleet supports two critical nuclear deterrence mission sets: a Navy one called 'Take Charge And Move Out' (TACAMO) and an Air Force one referred to simply as the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP), but better known by the nickname Looking Glass." TACAMO involves the relaying of orders to the Navy's ballistic missile submarines, while the Looking Glass mission relays orders to the Air Force's nuclear-capable bombers and silo-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. What Happens Next The aging E-6B fleet—which includes 16 aircraft in service—is scheduled to be replaced by the newer E-130J aircraft, maintaining a survivable communication link between the National Command Authority and the U.S.'s air-, land- and sea-based nuclear forces.
The Age
04-07-2025
- The Age
As a pilot, here are the key items I never fly without
Tools of the trade accompany every profession. Items that make achieving the job just a little bit easier. For a pilot, those items can be both technical and personal, but in a digital age, the one thing they are is significantly less cumbersome. A pilot's briefcase used to be a chunky piece of kit. A rectangular box with hard sides and gold latches protected by a three-digit code on each lock. Aircraft were designed with a space next to each flight-deck seat to house this leviathan of luggage. These briefcases are linked to a former age of aviation, when a pilot had to be self-sufficient when they went to work. They carried hard copies of aviation charts for every airport the pilot could even potentially visit, performance charts for calculating take-off and landing figures and airline manuals outlining all the rules and procedures to follow. Pilots would also carry what was known as an E-6B flight computer or 'whizz wheel', effectively a circular slide rule used for calculating things such as ground speed, wind correction, crosswind and fuel burn. Similar in size and shape to the protractor used for school maths, they were designed to fit neatly in a pilot's shirt pocket. The heavy briefcases meant the long walks through an airport terminal required regular rotation between left and right arms to avoid injury, so the digital age is kinder to the shoulder joints. Today, most airlines provide a digital tablet, with thousands of pieces of paper now reduced to their digital equivalents that can be accessed with the swipe of a finger. The digital tablets now contain apps for calculating take-off and landing performance, maps of flight paths, arrival and departure charts for airports, flight plans and, if the aircraft has Wi-Fi, real-time weather reports, including forecasts of turbulence and thunderstorms. Information can also be pushed by the airline, when it was traditionally delivered in paper form by hand to the flight deck. But the iPad equivalent, is not the only carry-on for a pilot. Some modern aircraft are relatively quiet, but others are still deceptively noisy on the flight deck. Spending up to 1000 hours every year in them can be potentially damaging to a pilot's hearing so to guard against this, some choose to provide their own noise-cancelling headset, to dramatically reduce the impact. Before every flight, the pilot is required to carry out a walk-around of the aircraft, essentially an inspection to ensure everything is serviceable. This means the pilot will often carry with them a high-visibility vest, a torch for night-time inspections, and another round of hearing protection for the extra noise of the airport tarmac.
Sydney Morning Herald
02-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
What's in a pilot's bag? The key things I take on every flight
Tools of the trade accompany every profession. Items that make achieving the job just a little bit easier. For a pilot, those items can be both technical and personal, but in a digital age, the one thing they are is significantly less cumbersome. A pilot's briefcase used to be a chunky piece of kit. A rectangular box with hard sides and gold latches protected by a three-digit code on each lock. Aircraft were designed with a space next to each flight-deck seat to house this leviathan of luggage. These briefcases are linked to a former age of aviation, when a pilot had to be self-sufficient when they went to work. They carried hard copies of aviation charts for every airport the pilot could even potentially visit, performance charts for calculating take-off and landing figures and airline manuals outlining all the rules and procedures to follow. Pilots would also carry what was known as an E-6B flight computer or 'whizz wheel', effectively a circular slide rule used for calculating things such as ground speed, wind correction, crosswind and fuel burn. Similar in size and shape to the protractor used for school maths, they were designed to fit neatly in a pilot's shirt pocket. The heavy briefcases meant the long walks through an airport terminal required regular rotation between left and right arms to avoid injury, so the digital age is kinder to the shoulder joints. Today, most airlines provide a digital tablet, with thousands of pieces of paper now reduced to their digital equivalents that can be accessed with the swipe of a finger. The digital tablets now contain apps for calculating take-off and landing performance, maps of flight paths, arrival and departure charts for airports, flight plans and, if the aircraft has Wi-Fi, real-time weather reports, including forecasts of turbulence and thunderstorms. Information can also be pushed by the airline, when it was traditionally delivered in paper form by hand to the flight deck. But the iPad equivalent, is not the only carry-on for a pilot. Some modern aircraft are relatively quiet, but others are still deceptively noisy on the flight deck. Spending up to 1000 hours every year in them can be potentially damaging to a pilot's hearing so to guard against this, some choose to provide their own noise-cancelling headset, to dramatically reduce the impact. Before every flight, the pilot is required to carry out a walk-around of the aircraft, essentially an inspection to ensure everything is serviceable. This means the pilot will often carry with them a high-visibility vest, a torch for night-time inspections, and another round of hearing protection for the extra noise of the airport tarmac.
