Been watching a US Naval Boeing E6-B Mercury
My question is why can I track this plane (yes its a ads-b) but why are some military aircraft from the US trackable and ours are not? Was wondering if trackable because of its size or is because its flying in commercial airspace?
Puddy
Quote from: puddy on November 10, 2009, 10:34:04 AM
My question is why can I track this plane (yes its a ads-b) but why are some military aircraft from the US trackable and ours are not? Was wondering if trackable because of its size or is because its flying in commercial airspace?
I don't think either of those is relevant, otherwise we'd see many more similar military aircraft tracking.
I suspect the Navy simply hasn't worked out yet how to turn off ADS-B :-)
I like the reply
"whats that button for" about right for the yanks
They have gone up the east coast of the UK across the top of scotland back down the west coast of scotland wales Bristol channel lands end
puddy
This aircraft has just gone over Dorset and now going northwards up the M3
If you look at what the E-6B's mission is you will realize that they probably use full ADS-B to say to hostile countries, "Hey, look - we're watching you."
IFR flight, M25 M11 A11 should do it!
Quote from: viking9 on November 10, 2009, 06:55:00 PMIf you look at what the E-6B's mission is you will realize that they probably use full ADS-B to say to hostile countries, "Hey, look - we're watching you."
I thought they were airborne command centers (cf TACAMO/Looking Glass). Is reconnaissance part of their mission as well?
No, Dave they do not directly take part in recce. What I meant by "We're watching you" is the USA is watching them with nuclear forces ready to retaliate.
All sounds a bit harsh for sleepy Dorset !
Quote from: Rural Outpost on November 22, 2009, 10:16:36 AMAll sounds a bit harsh for sleepy Dorset !
Reminds me of the town/city (I forget which one) that declared itself a "nuclear free zone" in the 1970s.
They said that if they were hit by a nuclear strike, it wouldn't count :-)
i live in what was wansbeck district council they declared themselves to be a nuclear free zone in the 70s could not see how it would save us when they took boulmer the mines ect out with a couple of bombs in the late 70s and 80s
paul