Navy Receives 1st Modernized E-6B Mercury Aircraft From Northrop

Northrop Grumman delivered a modernized E-6B Mercury aircraft to the U.S. Navy as part of the Integrated Modification and Maintenance contract, completing the modification project on the first aircraft in approximately one year.

During the upgrade process, the E-6B aircraft was equipped with five kits to boost its airborne command, control and communication functions, the aerospace and defense company said Tuesday. 

Scott Pfeiffer, vice president of platform sustainment and mission readiness at Northrop, shared that the effort builds on the company’s modernization-focused technology and supports the Navy’s mission of ensuring airborne C3 capabilities between the National Command Authority and other U.S. forces. 

Northrop was tasked to handle essential modifications to the E-6B Mercury fleet under the five-year, $111 million modernization contract from the Navy in February 2022. The upgrades will support the fleet’s crucial role in the Take Charge and Move Out strategic communications mission. 

The E-6B aircraft is a derivative of the commercial Boeing 707 platform.