DHC-2 Beaver vs E-6 Mercury TACAMO
Overview
The DHC-2 Beaver and the E-6 Mercury TACAMO are both Military Special Mission Aircraft, manufactured by De Havilland Canada and Boeing respectively.
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO reaches 966 km/h — 3.8x the DHC-2 Beaver's 254 km/h. The DHC-2 Beaver has an operational range of 732 km vs 12,000 km for the E-6 Mercury TACAMO. The E-6 Mercury TACAMO operates at altitudes up to 12,192 m compared to 5,486 m for the DHC-2 Beaver.
The DHC-2 Beaver has been produced in 1,657 units vs 16 for the E-6 Mercury TACAMO. Unit cost is $0.4M for the DHC-2 Beaver vs $141M for the E-6 Mercury TACAMO. The DHC-2 Beaver first flew 40 years before the E-6 Mercury TACAMO (1947 vs 1987).
| Canadian utility aircraft, renowned for bush flying since the mid-20th century, widely deployed for civilian and military operations. | |
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| Origin country | 🇨🇦 Canada |
| Category | Military Special Mission Aircraft |
| Manufacturer | De Havilland Canada |
| First flight | 16 August 1947 |
| Year introduced | 1948 |
| Number produced | 1657 units |
| Average unit price | $400K |
| American command-and-control aircraft, operative during the Cold War era, kept primarily for communications with U.S. nuclear forces. | |
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| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Military Special Mission Aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| First flight | 19 February 1987 |
| Year introduced | 1989 |
| Number produced | 16 units |
| Average unit price | $141 million |
| Wing area | 23.0 m² |
| Wingspan | 15.0 m ◉ |
| Height | 2.7 m ◉ |
| Length | 9.2 m ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 254 km/h ◉ |
| Operational range | 732 km ◉ |
| Service ceiling | 5,486 m ◉ |
| Max. takeoff weight | -- kg |
| Empty weight | 1,361 kg ◉ |
| Total thrust | 1 x 336 kW ◉ |
| Wing area | -- m² |
| Wingspan | 45.2 m ◉ |
| Height | 12.9 m ◉ |
| Length | 45.8 m ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 966 km/h ◉ |
| Operational range | 12,000 km ◉ |
| Service ceiling | 12,192 m ◉ |
| Max. takeoff weight | 155,128 kg |
| Empty weight | 78,378 kg ◉ |
| Total thrust | 4 x 2,803 kgf ◉ |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster, the DHC-2 Beaver or E-6 Mercury TACAMO?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO is faster with a maximum speed of 966 km/h compared to the DHC-2 Beaver's 254 km/h, a difference of 712 km/h.
Which has longer range, the DHC-2 Beaver or E-6 Mercury TACAMO?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has a longer range at 12,000 km compared to the DHC-2 Beaver's 732 km.
Which can fly higher, the DHC-2 Beaver or E-6 Mercury TACAMO?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has a higher service ceiling at 12,192 meters (40,000 ft) compared to the DHC-2 Beaver's 5,486 meters (17,998 ft).
Which is heavier, the DHC-2 Beaver or E-6 Mercury TACAMO?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 155,128 kg compared to the DHC-2 Beaver's 0 kg.
Which is larger, the DHC-2 Beaver or E-6 Mercury TACAMO?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO is longer at 45.8 meters compared to the DHC-2 Beaver's 9.2 meters.
Which is more expensive, the DHC-2 Beaver or E-6 Mercury TACAMO?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO is more expensive at approximately $141 million per unit compared to the DHC-2 Beaver at $0.4 million.
Which entered service first, the DHC-2 Beaver or E-6 Mercury TACAMO?
The DHC-2 Beaver entered service first in 1948, 41 years before the E-6 Mercury TACAMO which entered service in 1989.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the DHC-2 Beaver or E-6 Mercury TACAMO?
The DHC-2 Beaver has been produced in greater numbers with 1,657 units compared to 16 units of the E-6 Mercury TACAMO.