Boeing E-4
Transport Aircraftconfirmed
The Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post (AACP), the current "Nightwatch" aircraft, is a series of strategic command and control military aircraft operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). The E-4 series are specially modified from the Boeing 747-200B for the National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP) program. One of its primary purposes is continuity of government during nuclear warfare, thus being nicknamed the "Doomsday plane". The E-4 serves as a survivable mobile command post for the National Command Authority, namely the president of the United States, the secretary of defense, and successors. The four E-4s are operated by the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron of the 595th Command and Control Group located at Offutt Air Force Base, near Omaha, Nebraska. An E-4 when in action is denoted a "National Airborne Operations Center" (NAOC).
Specifications
| Type | Transport Aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Introduced | 1974 |
| Status | In service |
| Crew | 4 |
| Speed | 969 km/h |
| Range | 11,482 km |
| Ceiling | 13,716 m |
| Weight | 377.8 t |
| Length | 70.41 m |
| Wingspan | 59.44 m |
Operators
| Country | Quantity | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 4 | confirmed |
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