E-6 Mercury TACAMO vs S-2 Tracker
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO and the S-2 Tracker are both Military Special Mission Aircraft, manufactured by Boeing and Grumman respectively. The E-6 Mercury TACAMO reaches 966 km/h — 2.1x the S-2 Tracker's 450 km/h. The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has an operational range of 12,000 km vs 2,172 km for the S-2 Tracker. The E-6 Mercury TACAMO operates at altitudes up to 12,192 m compared to 6,706 m for the S-2 Tracker. At 155,128 kg MTOW, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO is 13:1 the S-2 Tracker's 11,860 kg. The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has been produced in 16 units vs 1,284 for the S-2 Tracker. The S-2 Tracker first flew 35 years before the E-6 Mercury TACAMO (1952 vs 1987).
| 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 |
| American carrier-based anti-submarine aircraft, deployed during the Cold War, notably used in the Vietnam and Korean Wars. | |
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| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Military Special Mission Aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Grumman |
| First flight | 4 November 1952 |
| Year introduced | 1954 |
| Number produced | 1284 units |
| Average unit price | $-- million |
| 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 | -- kg |
| Total thrust | 4 x 11,213 kgf ◉ |
| Wing area | 45.0 m² |
| Wingspan | 22.2 m ◉ |
| Height | 5.4 m ◉ |
| Length | 13.3 m ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 450 km/h ◉ |
| Operational range | 2,172 km ◉ |
| Service ceiling | 6,706 m ◉ |
| Max. takeoff weight | 11,860 kg ◉ |
| Empty weight | 8,308 kg |
| Total thrust | 2 x 1,137 kW ◉ |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or S-2 Tracker?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO is faster with a maximum speed of 966 km/h compared to the S-2 Tracker's 450 km/h, a difference of 516 km/h.
Which has longer range, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or S-2 Tracker?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has a longer range at 12,000 km compared to the S-2 Tracker's 2,172 km.
Which can fly higher, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or S-2 Tracker?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has a higher service ceiling at 12,192 meters (40,000 ft) compared to the S-2 Tracker's 6,706 meters (22,001 ft).
Which is heavier, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or S-2 Tracker?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 155,128 kg compared to the S-2 Tracker's 11,860 kg.
Which is larger, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or S-2 Tracker?
The E-6 Mercury TACAMO is longer at 45.8 meters compared to the S-2 Tracker's 13.3 meters.
Which entered service first, the E-6 Mercury TACAMO or S-2 Tracker?
The S-2 Tracker entered service first in 1954, 35 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 S-2 Tracker?
The S-2 Tracker has been produced in greater numbers with 1,284 units compared to 16 units of the E-6 Mercury TACAMO.