The E-4Bs NAOC (National Alternate Operations Center) is as ABNCP (Airborne Command Post) platform based out of Offutt AFB, Nebraska. This aircraft is also know as The Doomsday Plane, where in the case of a nuclear attack, war on the United State, a terrorist attack, this plane becomes the flying Pentagon and gives the SecDef and the Joint Chiefs of Staff a way to launch nuclear weapons and communicate to anything, anywhere in the world.
The Boeing E-4 National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC), with the project name “Nightwatch”, is an aircraft operated by the United States Air Force (USAF).
To create the E-4 series, four Boeing 747-200B airframes were specially modified to serve 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-4Bs are operated by the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron of the 55th Wing located at Offutt Air Force Base, near Omaha, Nebraska. An E-4B is denoted a “National Airborne Operations Center” when in action.
Upper deck
Flight deck Middle deck: Conference room, Aft of the conference room is a projection room, Operations team area, Technical Control area, Rest area.
Forward entry area
The main galley unit and stairways to the flight deck and to the forward lower equipment area, NCA area, Briefing room, Communications control area, Flight avionics area Lower Lobe: The forward lower equipment room contains the aircraft’s water supply tanks, 1200 kVA electrical power panels, step down transformers, VLF transmitter and SHF SATCOM equipment.
AC/DC powered hydraulic retractable Airstair is located in the forward right side of the forward lower equipment area, are installed for airplane entry and exit. In the event of an emergency, the airstair can be jettisoned if necessary.
The aft lower lobe contains the maintenance console and mission specific equipment.
The lower trailing wire antenna (TWA) area contains the aircraft’s 5 mile long TWA reel, which is used by up to 13 communications links — the antenna operator’s station, as well as the antenna reel controls and indicators.
Much attention has been given to hardening this area against EMP, especially as the TWA, essential for communicating with ballistic missile submarines, is also particularly effective in picking up EMP.
General characteristics
- Crew: up to 112
- Length: 231 ft 4 in (70.5 m)
- Wingspan: 195 ft 8 in (59.7 m)
- Height: 63 ft 5 in (19.3 m)
- Wing area: 5,500 ft² (510 m²)
- Empty weight: 410,000 lb (190,000 kg)
- Loaded weight: 800,000 lb (360,000 kg)
- Max. takeoff weight: 833,000 lb (374,850 kg)
- Powerplant: 4 × General Electric CF6-50E2 turbofans, 52,500 lbf (234 kN) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 523 knots (602 mph, 969 km/h)
- Cruise speed: Mach 0.84 (555 mph, 895 km/h)
- Range: 6,200 nmi (7,100 mi, 11,000 km)
- Endurance: 150+ hours[11]
- Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (14,000 m)
- Wing loading: 150 lb/ft² (730 kg/m²)
- Thrust/weight: 0.26
