E-6 Mercury TACAMO vs Il-80

American command-and-control aircraft, operative during the Cold War era, kept primarily for communications with U.S. nuclear forces.
Picture of E-6 Mercury TACAMO
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
Soviet airborne command post, designed during the Cold War, most notably deployed in strategic air command scenarios.
Picture of Il-80
Origin country 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Military Special Mission Aircraft
Manufacturer Ilyushin
First flight 5 March 1987
Year introduced 1992
Number produced 4 units
Average unit price $-- million
Wingspan 45.2 m â—‰
Height 12.9 m
Length 45.8 m â—‰
Maximum speed 966 km/h
Operational range 12,000 km
Service ceiling 12,192 m â—‰
Max. takeoff weight 155,128 kg â—‰
Total thrust 4 x 11,213 kgf â—‰
Profile drawing of Boeing E-6 Mercury TACAMO
Wingspan 48.1 m â—‰
Height -- m
Length 59.5 m â—‰
Maximum speed -- km/h
Operational range -- km
Service ceiling 11,000 m â—‰
Max. takeoff weight 208,000 kg â—‰
Total thrust 4 x 13,000 kgf â—‰
Profile drawing of Ilyushin Il-80

Performance Radar Chart

Photo of Il-80 by Dmitry Terekhov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or Il-80?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO is faster with a maximum speed of 966 km/h compared to the Il-80's 0 km/h, a difference of 966 km/h.
Which has longer range, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or Il-80?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has a longer range at 12,000 km compared to the Il-80's 0 km.
Which can fly higher, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or Il-80?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has a higher service ceiling at 12,192 meters (40,000 ft) compared to the Il-80's 11,000 meters (36,089 ft).
Which is heavier, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or Il-80?
The Il-80 has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 208,000 kg compared to the E-6 Mercury TACAMO's 155,128 kg.
Which is larger, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or Il-80?
The Il-80 is longer at 59.5 meters compared to the E-6 Mercury TACAMO's 45.8 meters.
Which entered service first, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or Il-80?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO entered service first in 1989, 3 years before the Il-80 which entered service in 1992.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or Il-80?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has been produced in greater numbers with 16 units compared to 4 units of the Il-80.