Air Power One is named the “flying Oval Workplace,” however there’s one other lesser-known presidential aircraft that may function as a “flying struggle room”: the E-4B “Nightwatch.”
Nicknamed the “doomsday aircraft” for its skill to outlive a nuclear blast, the E-4B is designed to guard the president and different senior officers and performance as a navy command heart in worst-case eventualities. It additionally transports the Secretary of Protection on worldwide journeys.
Lots of the E-4B’s options are categorised, however the US Air Power has shared some glimpses into its capabilities. Have a look contained in the top-secret plane.
The E-4B “Nightwatch” is a militarized model of a Boeing 747-200.
Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Pictures/LightRocket by way of Getty Pictures
The US Air Power’s fleet of 4 E-4Bs includes the Nationwide Airborne Operations Middle at Offutt Air Power Base in Omaha, Nebraska.
It prices $159,529 per hour to function, making it the Air Power’s most costly aircraft.
US Air Power photograph by Workers Sgt. Jacob Skovo
Every E-4B prices $223.2 million to construct, based on the US Air Power.
A typical crew consists of 60 individuals with 15 totally different specialties.
US Strategic Command
In 2022, the Air Power debuted a $9.5 million E-4B simulator to coach pilots, flight engineers, and different crew members to function the plane, based on the US Strategic Command.
The E-4B can refuel whereas in flight, permitting it to fly for a number of days at a time.
US Air Power photograph by Tech. Sgt. Codie Trimble
The E-4B can fly for 12 hours straight with out refueling.
Its communications know-how is saved in a bulge on high of the aircraft known as the ray dome.
US Air Power/Louis Briscese
The E-4B possesses extra communications capabilities than Air Power One with round 67 satellite tv for pc dishes and antennas within the ray dome.
The aircraft’s exterior additionally options thermal and nuclear shielding, and its electrical system can stand up to electromagnetic pulses.
The aircraft’s primary deck options six purposeful areas.
DoD photograph by US Military Sgt. Amber I. Smith
The structure features a command room, convention room, briefing room, operations group work space, communications room, and a relaxation space, based on the US Air Power.
The aircraft can seat as much as 112 individuals.
Within the briefing room, officers replace members of the press and conduct conferences with employees.
Grasp Sgt. Adrian Cadiz/US Secretary of Protection
The E-4B is not only a “doomsday aircraft.” The Secretary of Protection often makes use of it to journey abroad and maintain press briefings.
Positioned within the heart of the aircraft, the battle employees room is the place officers would collect to strategize in a nationwide emergency.
Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo/US Secretary of Protection
Within the occasion of a nuclear assault or different apocalyptic situation, the president, secretary of protection, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers would use the aircraft as a safe command and management heart much like the Pentagon.
The remaining space has 18 crew bunks, whereas the Secretary of Protection occupies non-public quarters on worldwide journeys.
Lance Cheung/US Air Power photograph
The Secretary of Protection’s non-public quarters are furnished with a bunk and a desk with chairs.
The E-4B is staffed and on alert 24 hours a day, seven days every week.
US Air Power photograph by Lance Cheung
No less than one E-4B has been on steady alert since 1975, able to deploy at a second’s discover.