Navy and Air Force officials are analyzing a potential joint program or common airframes to replace their aging E-6B Mercury command-and-control aircraft, according to top officers. Naval Air Systems Command, which manages both the Navy and the Air Force E-6B fleet, has a service life extension program planned to keep the aircraft operational through 2038, according to Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran. But he said the Navy would prefer to phase out the aircraft before that time...
