This silent guardian is more than a giant eagle standing ready against possible disasters such as nuclear war. Why America’s Doomsday Plane arouses so much curiosity is due to its features.
Let’s take a look at the features of the Doomsday Plane, the guardian of strategic defense in the sky, designed with every detail in mind, and the details that distinguish it from other aircraft.
Why does America need such a plane?
The Doomsday Plane was designed for nuclear war, disaster, and a conflict situation that threatens military and government infrastructure. This aircraft, which is an airborne command center, is also produced in Russia, apart from America.
The initial production purpose of the aircraft was to direct military assets during the Cold War. The plane was therefore equipped with devices that would allow only national leaders to communicate. But they later realized that a mobile military command center was quite useful.
How is the Doomsday Plane different from other warplanes?
The strategic command and control center, the military aircraft Boeing E-4B, enables the US President, the US Secretary of Defense and other federal officials to manage the war by staying in the air for 3 days in a possible worst-case scenario. This aircraft, called the “National Airborne Operations Center” when in motion, has the latest technology.
Although it is called the latest technology, analog aircraft instruments are actually used in aircraft because they are less sensitive to damage that may result from nuclear explosions. In addition, there are special masks in the cockpit to prevent the pilots’ field of vision from being blocked due to the explosion. Some windows are covered with mesh that protects against explosions.
An advanced satellite communication system allows worldwide communication. Any mobile phone or landline number can be reached from the plane. Systems that can receive radio-TV signals can read short messages and broadcast videos.
The aircraft also has an air conditioning system for acoustic control, technical control and cooling of electrical components. The aircraft can also refuel during flight; four-engine, swept-wing and long-range high-altitude aircraft.
This aircraft, which is resistant to various disasters such as nuclear war, also allows country leaders to give orders from the air. Doomsday Plane Boeing E-4B, which is also resistant to electromagnetic impacts, also includes many defense mechanisms.
Boeing E-4B can also stay in the air for 35.4 hours in operational condition. The aircraft is managed by a combat staff of 90 soldiers, half of whom are airmen, and is attended by 244 operations teams and 277 maintenance personnel.
The aircraft has many compartments with a passenger capacity of 112 people.
With an area of 5 thousand square meters, the US Air Force’s largest aircraft crew to date is Doomsday Aircraft; It has a total passenger capacity of 112 people, including federal officials, flight and attendant personnel. Of course, there are different sections for so many people.
Rear part of the deck; It is reserved for the flight crew, including the aircraft commander, co-pilot, navigator specialist and flight engineer, to rest and sleep. In addition, a food storage area and an area for religious ceremonies were also added at the back.
There is a conference room in the middle of the plane. There is also a conference table for 9 people and a projector in the hall. Behind the conference hall is the operation area that can accommodate 29 personnel. There are consoles, automatic switchboards, direct access telephones and radio circuits, monitor panels for switchboard lines and a voice recorder.
A separate section on the plane is reserved for so many people who will stay in the air for at least 3 days. There is a kitchen at the front entrance, and items that enable hot meals such as a refrigerator, freezer, oven and microwave are placed in the kitchen.
The back of the front entrance belongs to the executive suite. The National Command Authority area includes an office, lounge, sleeping quarters and dressing room. Telephone tools that provide secure and clear communication around the world are also here.
Even if it is not a disaster, there are times when aircraft are used as a precaution.
The Doomsday Plane is also used for different purposes at different times. Hurricane Opal, which hit in 1995, is one of them. FEDA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) used one E-4B aircraft during the hurricane.
After the September 11, 2001 Pentagon attack, an aircraft similar to the E-4B was seen in Washington. According to air traffic control and records, the plane circled the White House and entered a holding area in Washington. After the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center, it was announced that the plane was on standby and that it was later on an inspection tour of an unspecified nuclear weapons site.
Presidents’ trips outside the United States are sometimes accompanied by other backup planes. A spare plane is waiting at a second airport near the president’s destination for use in case of emergency.
During Barack Obama’s visit to Hawaii, an E-4B waited at Hilo International Airport, 200 miles away.
How much do you think this plane costs?
548 million dollars were spent for the Boeing E-4 built in 1973, using the money of that period. This figure is estimated to be equivalent to $3.61 billion in 2022. In 2005, a five-year upgrade contract worth $2 billion ($3 billion in 2022) was signed. In addition, the air force operating the E-4 spends approximately 160 thousand dollars ($195,097 in 2022) per hour.
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