What is the E-4B plane?

About the E-4B In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command and control centers, the aircraft provides a highly survivable command, control, and communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders, and coordinate actions by civil authorities.

What is the NAOC?

Formally known as the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC), this is an E-4B, the plane that America’s military leaders would use as an airborne command and control center in the case of a nuclear war or other very serious conflict.

What type of plane is Doomsday Plane?

Widely referred to as “Doomsday Planes,” the Air Force’s four existing E-4Bs are based on Boeing 747 airframes and are most famous for providing a robust and survivable airborne command post that offers a platform for the President of the United States, under a framework known as the National Command Authority (NCA).

Is there really a Doomsday Plane?

The Doomsday plane is an unofficial denomination of a class of aircraft which is used as an Airborne Command Post in an event of nuclear war, disaster or other large scale conflict that threatens key military and government infrastructure.

What is the military’s Doomsday plane?

E-4B
The US military’s “Doomsday” plane is the E-4B, a militarised variant of the Boeing 747-200 passenger jet. The US Air Force says that the plane is protected against electromagnetic pulses and shielded against nuclear and thermal effects. Satellite technology also offers worldwide communication capabilities.

Is there really a Doomsday plane?

What are the US doomsday planes?

The Nightwatch is described by the U.S. Air Force as a modified Boeing 747-200B for the National Emergency Airborne Command Post. It’s designed to carry the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff during a nuclear attack.

Is there a plane that follows Air Force One?

The aircraft popularly called the “Doomsday” plane always follows Air Force One. This plane (there are reportedly four of them in existence), the E-B4 Advanced Airborne Command Post, is an airborne nuclear bunker and command center that was designed at the height of the Cold War to resist a nuclear attack.

Is there a Doomsday Plane?

The Nightwatch, a U.S. Air Force plane nicknamed the ‘Doomsday Plane’, has circled the Keweenaw Peninsula since about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday. The Nightwatch is described by the U.S. Air Force as a modified Boeing 747-200B for the National Emergency Airborne Command Post.

Can Air Force One shoot missiles?

Some of the most interesting parts of the plane — it’s advanced avionics and defenses — are classified. But the Air Force asserts the two planes are definitely military aircraft, designed to withstand an air attack. The plane can also eject flares to throw heat-seeking missiles off course.

When was the first Air Force E-4B built?

The E-4B evolved from the E-4A, which had been in service since late 1974. The first B model was delivered to the Air Force in January 1980, and by 1985 all aircraft were converted to B models. All E-4B aircraft are assigned to the 595th Command and Control Group at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

What kind of airplane is the E-4B?

The E-4B, a militarized version of the Boeing 747-200, is a four-engine, swept-wing, long-range high-altitude airplane capable of refueling in flight. 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.

What is the mission of the E-4B?

Mission The E-4B serves as the National Airborne Operations Center and is a key component of the National Military Command System for the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

How many people can be on an E-4B?

An E-4B may include seating for up to 112 people, including a joint-service operations team, Air Force flight crew, maintenance and security component, communications team and selected augmentees.