Amid the simmering tensions in the Middle East owing to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict and as US President Donald Trump is yet to decided on military will get directly involved in the conflict, a E-4B Nightwatch plane of the US, popularly known as “doomsday planes” landed in Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC.
The arrival of the plane, operated by the Air Force Global Strike Command of the US Air Force, at the base assumes significance as the primary role of the "doomsday planes" is to serve as the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) in the possible event of the destruction of ground-based command and control (C2) facilities. The plane serves as a survivable and mobile command post for the US President, secretary of defense, and joint chiefs of staff during national emergencies, including the possible event of a nuclear war or such catastrophic events.
A key component of the National Military Command System of the US, the four-engined, swept-wing, long-range high-altitude airplane would serve as a command, control and communications centre to direct the country's military and execute emergency war orders.
ALSO READ: Is MBDA's low-cost strike drone 'One Way Effector' Europe's answer to Iranian-designed Shahed?
A militarised version of the Boeing 747-200, the E-4B, which can accommodate upto 112 peopole, has a command work area, conference room, briefing room, an operations team work area, communications area and rest area. Each of the plane's four engines have a thrust of 52,000 pounds. The maximum take-off weight of this 40-metre flight is 3,60,000.
The aircraft, which is designed to support advanced avionics, is protected against the effects of electromagnetic pulse. The plane is modified to include nuclear and thermal effects shielding.
Other features of the plane includes acoustic control, an improved technical control facility, an upgraded air-conditioning system for cooling electrical components, and an advanced satellite communications system provides worldwide communication.
At least one E-4B NAOC is always on 24-hour alert throughout the weekk with a global watch team at one of many selected bases throughout the world to provide direct support to the senior leaders.
An E-4B is reported to have stayed in the air for 35.4 hours.
