E-6 Mercury TACAMO vs EA-6B Prowler

Overview

The E-6 Mercury TACAMO and the EA-6B Prowler are both Military Special Mission Aircraft, manufactured by Boeing and Grumman respectively.

Top speed is 966 km/h for the E-6 Mercury TACAMO vs 1,048 km/h for the EA-6B Prowler. The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has an operational range of 12,000 km vs 3,745 km for the EA-6B Prowler. The E-6 Mercury TACAMO operates at altitudes up to 12,192 m compared to 11,460 m for the EA-6B Prowler. At 155,128 kg MTOW, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO is 5.6x the EA-6B Prowler's 27,896 kg.

The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has been produced in 16 units vs 170 for the EA-6B Prowler. Unit cost is $141M for the E-6 Mercury TACAMO vs $52M for the EA-6B Prowler. The EA-6B Prowler first flew 19 years before the E-6 Mercury TACAMO (1968 vs 1987).

American command-and-control aircraft, operative during the Cold War era, kept primarily for communications with U.S. nuclear forces.
Boeing E-6 Mercury TACAMO Other profile drawing
Origin country πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ 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
American electronic warfare aircraft, vital during the Cold War, widely deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
Grumman EA-6B Prowler Other profile drawing
Origin country πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
Category Military Special Mission Aircraft
Manufacturer Grumman
First flight 25 May 1968
Year introduced 1971
Number produced 170 units
Average unit price $52 million
Wing area -- mΒ²
Wingspan 45.2 m β—‰
Height 12.9 m β—‰
Length 45.8 m β—‰
Maximum speed 966 km/h β—‰
Operational range 12,000 km β—‰
Service ceiling 12,192 m β—‰
Max. takeoff weight 155,128 kg β—‰
Empty weight 78,378 kg β—‰
Total thrust 4 x 2,803 kgf β—‰
Wing area 49.2 mΒ²
Wingspan 16.0 m β—‰
Height 5.1 m β—‰
Length 18.0 m β—‰
Maximum speed 1048 km/h β—‰
Operational range 3,745 km β—‰
Service ceiling 11,460 m β—‰
Max. takeoff weight 27,896 kg β—‰
Empty weight 14,134 kg β—‰
Total thrust 2 x 2,359 kgf β—‰

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or EA-6B Prowler?
The EA-6B Prowler is faster with a maximum speed of 1,048 km/h compared to the E-6 Mercury TACAMO's 966 km/h, a difference of 82 km/h.
Which has longer range, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or EA-6B Prowler?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has a longer range at 12,000 km compared to the EA-6B Prowler's 3,745 km.
Which can fly higher, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or EA-6B Prowler?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has a higher service ceiling at 12,192 meters (40,000 ft) compared to the EA-6B Prowler's 11,460 meters (37,598 ft).
Which is heavier, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or EA-6B Prowler?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 155,128 kg compared to the EA-6B Prowler's 27,896 kg.
Which is larger, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or EA-6B Prowler?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO is longer at 45.8 meters compared to the EA-6B Prowler's 18.0 meters.
Which is more expensive, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or EA-6B Prowler?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO is more expensive at approximately $141 million per unit compared to the EA-6B Prowler at $52 million.
Which entered service first, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or EA-6B Prowler?
The EA-6B Prowler entered service first in 1971, 18 years before the E-6 Mercury TACAMO which entered service in 1989.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or EA-6B Prowler?
The EA-6B Prowler has been produced in greater numbers with 170 units compared to 16 units of the E-6 Mercury TACAMO.