The 'Doomsday Plane' - Boeing E-4B 'Nightwatch'

A look at one of four Boeing E-4B 'Nightwatch' planes that are operated as US National Airborne Operations Centres and are a key component of the National Military Command System for the US President, the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In the event of national emergency or destruction of ground command and control centres, the aircraft provides a highly survivable command, control and communications centre to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders and coordinate actions by civil authorities. The conduct of E-4B operations encompasses all phases of the threat spectrum. Additionally, the E-4B provides outside the continental United States, travel support for the Secretary of Defense and his staff to ensure Title 10 command and control connectivity.
The airframe is a modified Boeing 747-200 packed with 41 different types of communication and surveillance equipment. The aircraft is designed to be capable of remaining in the air for up to a week if necessary, without landing, although it's longest uninterrupted test flight was reportedly only 34 hours long. It can accept air to air refuelling, but needs two fully loaded Boeing KC-135 tankers to refuel from a minimum fuel load. All of its electronics and wiring are shielded against Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) and its original analogue flight control system is more able to withstand EMP than more modern digital systems.
An advanced satellite communications system provides worldwide communication for senior leaders through the airborne operations center. Other improvements include nuclear and thermal effects shielding, acoustic control, an improved technical control facility and an upgraded air-conditioning system for cooling electrical components.
The main deck is divided into six functional areas: a command work area, conference room, briefing room, an operations team work area, communications area and rest area.
The four aircraft are all based at Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska with the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron, which is part of the 595th Command and Control Wing.
Flight crew consists of a Command Pilot, Co-Pilot, Flight Engineer and a Navigator. The navigator using a special suite of specialist military navigation equipment. Up to 112 mission personnel can be carried, although the aircraft uses a minimum of 48 people for every mission.
To provide direct support to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the JCS, at least one E-4B NAOC is always on 24-hour alert, 7-days a week, with a global watch team at one of many selected bases throughout the world.
The E-4B also provides support to the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, which provides communications and command centre capability to relief efforts following natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes.
Air Force Global Strike Command is the Air Force single-resource manager for the E-4B, and provides aircrew, maintenance, security and communications support. E-4B operations are directed by the JCS and executed through U.S. Strategic Command. USSTRATCOM also provides personnel for the joint airborne operations center battle staff.
Each aircraft has cost US $223.2 million and costs about US $200,000 per hour to operate.
This aircraft carries US Air Force serial 73-1676 and was built in 1973.
Filmed at RAF Fairford, UK during The Royal International Air Tattoo 2022.
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Copyright © 2024 StephenKeeler (HightFlight/SkyHighFlightTV) All Rights Reserved

[@Upemm]

If certain countries had this, you would be locked up for for even looking at it, but here we are on public display. I think I would like a window or two…

[@michaelwthalman]

Kinda sucks that Offutt AFB finally got a E4-b flight simulator. I still see them flying around Omaha a few times a week, but not like before.

[@TheMs606]

Saw one today in Colorado

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

Jesus Christ
THE PRINCE OF PEACE