Aircraft
Navy Upgrades Communications, Bandwidth on E-6Bs
The Internet protocol bandwidth expansion upgrade provides more reliable and robust communications on board the Navy’s E-6B Mercury. (Photo: Navair)
The Internet protocol bandwidth expansion upgrade provides more reliable and robust communications on board the Navy’s E-6B Mercury. (Photo: Navair)

The U.S. Navy is upgrading the communications network on its E-6B Mercury airborne command post to provide the battle staff on board with faster, more reliable access to both classified and unclassified information. The service recently received the third fleet E-6B outfitted with the Internet protocol bandwidth expansion (IPBE) upgrade.