What are the doomsday planes?
Commonly referred to as "Doomsday Planes," the main mission of the Air Force's four existing E-4Bs is to provide a robust and survivable airborne command post that offers a platform for the President of the United States, via a mechanism known as the National Command Authority (NCA), to initiate a nuclear strike.
What is the difference between NAOC planes and doomsday planes?
If necessary, the Doomsday planes can be refueled while aloft, extending their flying time to well more than ten hours. While the NAOC planes are designed to provide airborne command and control functionality in case of a major military crisis, they are also used to fly the Secretary of Defense on international missions.
When was the E-4B Doomsday plane invented?
The modern-day E-4B Doomsday plane can be traced back to 1973, when the first E-4 planes were being created. Necessity is the mother of invention, and if you know your U.S. history, then you’ll know that 1973 is only a few years before the first phase of the Cold War.
What is the ISBN number for Doomsday 747s?
London: Putnam, 1989. ISBN 0-85177-804-6. Francillon, René J. "Doomsday 747s: The National Airborne Operations Center". Air International, December 2008. Key Publishing, Syamford, Lincs, UK. pp. 32–37.
Does the US have a Doomsday plane?
ABOARD AN E-4B NIGHTWATCH JET OVER THE GREAT PLAINS — Sixty years after the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war, one of the U.S. military's most unique airplanes is still standing guard in case of catastrophe.
Which countries have Doomsday plane?
The only countries known to have designed and manufactured such aircraft are the United States and the Russian Federation.
How long can the Doomsday plane fly?
Brian Golden, National Airborne Operations Center and 595th Command and Control Group chief. The four-engine modified 747-200 is designed for missions that last up to 72 hours, which costs the U.S. taxpayer $147,000 an hour. It's the highest flight hour cost of any military plane aside from Air Force One, Golden said.
What is the navy Doomsday plane?
The first E-6B "Mercury", also known as the Navy's "Doomsday" plane, landed at Northrop Grumman Corporation's Aircraft Maintenance and Fabrication Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on May 9, 2022, for Block II modification, according to the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division.
How would you survive a nuclear war?
9:0819:16This Is How You Actually Survive a Nuclear Attack - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf possible basements might not seem like the best choice since so much of the fine debris is goingMoreIf possible basements might not seem like the best choice since so much of the fine debris is going to settle in low places. But the key is to choose a basement with as few entrances as possible.
What to do if US gets nuked?
Move to a shelter, basement, or other underground area, preferably located away from the direction that the wind is blowing. Remove clothing since it may be contaminated; if possible, take a shower, wash your hair, and change clothes before you enter the shelter.
Can Air Force 1 survive a nuclear bomb?
The aircraft can remain aloft for days and is designed to withstand the electromagnetic pulse from a nuclear blast. It conducts routine training and readiness missions. At least one is kept on 24/7 readiness.
What plane carries a nuke?
Deployed tactical nuclear weapons are now restricted to various modifications to the B-61 gravity, or free-fall, bomb. US aircraft capable of delivering this weapon are the A-4, A-6, A-7, AV-8B, F-4, F-15, F-16, F-18, F-111, and presumably the F-117 stealth fighter.
Does Air Force One carry the beast?
They are capable of vertical take-off and landing, and are designed to combine the functions of a helicopter with the range of a turboprop aircraft. Once on the ground, President Biden usually transfers from Air Force One or Marine One to Cadillac One - nicknamed The Beast.
Does Russia have a Doomsday Plane?
The Doomsday plane is a planned Airborne Command Post to be operated by the Russian Air Force. It is based on the Ilyushin Il-96-400-M commercial aircraft airframe and is scheduled to replace the older Ilyushin Il-80 models introduced in the early 1990s.
How can we prepare for nuclear war?
It should include bottled water, packaged foods, emergency medicines, a hand-crank or battery- powered radio to get information in case power is out, a flashlight, and extra batteries for essential items. If possible, store supplies for three or more days.
What is the Doomsday Clock at right now?
In January 2020, it was moved forward to 100 seconds before midnight. The clock's setting was left unchanged in both 2021 and 2022. Since 2010, the clock has been moved forward over four minutes, and has changed by five minutes and twenty seconds since 1947.
Does Russia have a Doomsday plane?
The Doomsday plane is a planned Airborne Command Post to be operated by the Russian Air Force. It is based on the Ilyushin Il-96-400-M commercial aircraft airframe and is scheduled to replace the older Ilyushin Il-80 models introduced in the early 1990s.
Does Russia have a doomsday device?
A lot of great technology was developed during the Cold War. Things like GPS, the internet and microchips were all developed as part of the arms-race tech boom. Unfortunately, so was the Novichok nerve agent, the world's largest nuclear weapon and Russia's doomsday device, just to name a few. You read that right.
Does the US have a dead hand?
No, The United States Doesn't Have An Automatic “Dead Hand” Trigger For Its ICBMs.
What is the Doomsday Clock at right now?
In January 2020, it was moved forward to 100 seconds before midnight. The clock's setting was left unchanged in both 2021 and 2022. Since 2010, the clock has been moved forward over four minutes, and has changed by five minutes and twenty seconds since 1947.
How long has the Doomsday plane been in the air?
Nicknamed “The Doomsday Plane,” one of these crafts has been in the air for 29 years, ready to take control of America’s nuclear forces if the unimaginable happened and all command and control centers on the ground had been rendered inoperable.
What was the Doomsday plane?
Dubbed “Looking Glass” because they “mirrored” the command and control functionality on the ground, the original Doomsday Planes were five modified KC-135A Boeing Stratotankers. One was kept in the air at all times from the original launch date. Around three dozen crew were on the plane, including battle support staff and operators. The general officer of the craft was the AEAO (Airborne Emergency Action Officer); in the event of a strike, if the communication and command structure was lost on the ground, the AEAO originally had the legal authority to instigate nuclear counter strikes and other commands under what was called “National Command Authority.” The plane has always maintained the capability to communicate with the Navy’s nuclear-capable submarine fleet. The U.S. tightened the “National Command Authority” term in 2002, explicitly stating that only the president or secretary of defense has that authority, while legally only the president can unilaterally order a nuclear strike.
What is looking glass aircraft?
Today’s Looking Glass aircraft come from the Navy’s E-6B fleet. Those are Boeing E-6 Mercurys, which are similar to the Boeing 707 passenger airliner; they went into service in 1998. While Looking Glass is still the name of the program, the plane in the air itself is referred to as the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP).
Why did Operation Looking Glass take place?
60 years ago, Operation Looking Glass took to the skies to protect America from the worst case scenario.
Where are the Doomsday planes based?
The planes are based out of this Air Force Base, which is also home to U.S. Strategic Command, and was the longtime home of U.S. Strategic Air Command, just south of Omaha. CNET reporter Daniel Terdiman got a rare opportunity to look inside and out of one of the Doomsday planes as part of Road Trip 2013. 2 of 27 Daniel Terdiman/CNET.
How long does it take to fly a Doomsday plane?
The plane has a number of bunks for crew rest. If necessary, the Doomsday planes can be refueled while aloft, extending their flying time to well more than ten hours.
How many generators does a 747 have?
One major difference between the NAOC planes and a standard 747-200 is that the Doomsday aircraft have eight generators, with two for each engine. A normal 747-200 has only one generator per engine. This area of the flight engineer's console shows the status and provides control over those eight generators.
How many NAOC planes are there?
Though there are four NAOC planes in the military's fleet, all four are almost never operational at one time. Usually, at least one of the planes is being worked on. But even having three together at once, as seen here, is a somewhat rare event.
What is a NOAC plane?
The NOAC planes are similar to the president's Air Force One but actually have a more sophisticated communications package, including a few more antennae. This chart shows the full range of communications that are possible on board the plane. Essentially, it is outfitted to communicate across the entire range of electromagnetic capabilities in order to ensure that the command and control leadership are able to talk to their forces, regardless of the situation.
What will happen if America ever fights a nuclear war?
If America ever fights a nuclear war, military leaders will run command and control from the National Airborne Operations Center. CNET Road Trip 2013 got a look inside one of the very special planes.
Is there a flight engineer on the 747?
This is the flight engineer's console. On Boeing 747-400s and 747-8 Intercontinentals, there is no flight engineer, with most of that role's functions having been automated. Air Force One is also a modified 747-200.
What aircraft shadows the President?
Typically, one of these aircraft shadows the President when they fly on one of the VC-25A Air Force One aircraft overseas. They are also often employed as a means of transporting the Secretary of Defense to foreign countries.
What aircraft is used for SAOC?
Steve Trimble, Aviation Week 's Defense Editor and good friend of The War Zone, noted last year that the option of starting with a used commercial aircraft opened a new door to using a 747 airframe, among others, for the SAOC.
What aircraft is the NAOC based on?
A fourth aircraft in the NAOC configuration was also subsequently acquired. All of these aircraft are based on the 747-200B airframe, as are the two VC-25A Air Force One jets. One of the Air Force's two VC-25A Air Force One aircraft, which, like the E-4Bs, are based on the Boeing 747-200B.
What aircraft will the Air Force use for SAOC?
That being said, there are steadily growing signs that the service is leaning more and more toward a 747- based design.
Is the 747-8I a VC-25B?
The decision to use the 747-8i as the basis for the VC-25B could also have impacted the thinking regarding the E-4 B's eventual replacement. The design of the Nightwatch aircraft, including its communication suite, hardening against electromagnetic pulses for nuclear detonations, and more, had informed that of the VC-25As. Leveraging any significant amount of work that has already been done in the development of the conversion plan for the new Air Force One jets could help lower the costs and complexities associated with crafting a 747-8i-based SAOC.
Is the C-32A based on the 757?
The C-32A is notably based on the twin-engine Boeing 757, while the E-6B is derived from the four-engine Boeing 707, as well. All told there is growing evidence that differences in requirements, including with regards to total engines, led to the collapse of the NEAT program's idea of acquiring a single type to perform all of these mission sets.
Is the Air Force interested in the SAOC?
There have already been other signs that the Air Force might be increasingly interested in another 747-based platform for the SAOC. In 2017, it had emerged that the service, together with the U.S. Navy, were exploring a possible common replacement aircraft for the E-4B, as well as the E-6B Mercury and C-32A types.
Where did the E-4B fly from?
The E-4B’s flight from Andrews Air Force Base to TTR.
Did the E-4B fly into TTR?
Another option is that the E-4B flew into TTR without the Secretary of Defense on board. Either way, we now also have an indication that the aircraft departed the Nevada base after only a few hours, taking off at around 3:00 PM local time, according to online flight-tracking sources.
How fast is the Nightwatch plane?
The Nightwatch, a U.S. Air Force plane nicknamed the ‘Doomsday Plane’, has circled the Keweenaw Peninsula since about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday. The plane cruised at about 430 knots (494 mph) at 25,000 feet for five hours over the Keweenaw. It broke from the holding pattern and flew east at approximately 6:45 p.m.
How many people are on the E-4B?
The plane is capable of operating with a crew of up to 112 people including flight and mission personnel. There are at least 48 crew aboard any E-4B mission.
Who eliminated the 7th planned jet?
On July 28, 1975, then-Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger, under President Gerald Ford, eliminated the seventh planned jet, and, due to excessive cost overruns, deferred any decision on the remaining two unbuilt jets until FY79. One month later, Schlesinger articulated specific duty assignments for the four extant E-4s:
Why is SAC called 24/7?
This test proved successful, and on February 1, 1961, SAC began 24/7 Looking Glass airborne alert, so named because it mirrored the capabilities of SAC’s primary command post. At the same time, the Air Force recommended a similarly configured KC-135 be stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland as a National Emergency Airborne Command Post ...
What mission did the USS Wright fly?
USS Wright with its deck refitted into an antenna farm for the NECPA mission.
How long was the KC-135A on alert?
One KC-135A, manned by a Joint Alternate Command Element battle staff (known by their static “back-end” call sign Silver Dollar), was on 24/7 alert and could be launched within 15 minutes. A second KC-135A was on a one-hour alert. The third jet was used for training when it wasn't undergoing maintenance.
When did the SAC start planning for a replacement Airborne Command Post?
Planning for a replacement Advanced Airborne Command Post (AABNCP) began in the early 1960s. SAC originally wanted a fleet of Lockheed ‘EC-5s’, but the airplane’s troubled production and political considerations resulted instead in the selection of Boeing’s 747.
When was the E-4A first delivered?
An E-4A. In 1971, then-Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird directed the procurement of seven E-4s, with the planned first delivery in 1975 . Three of these would be delivered as part of Phase I, Block I as E-4As, with the fourth delivery as an E-4B under Phase I, Block II.
Who was the second president to fly on an E-4?
Ronald Reagan was the second president to fly aboard an E-4 on November 15, 1981, from Kelly Air Force Base in Texas to Andrews. As with Carter, he received a briefing by Lieutenant General Philip C. Gast on the communications systems linking the NEACP with the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon and the ANMCC at Raven Rock. He spent the balance of the flight working alone in a forward cabin. Interestingly, the entry for November 15 is missing from the presidential Daily Diary file at the Reagan Library, so the full details of the flight and its manifest are not known.
What was the original 747-200?
Two of the original 747-200 airframes were originally planned to be commercial airliners . When the airline did not complete the order, Boeing offered the airframes to the United States Air Force as part of a package leading to a replacement for the older EC-135J National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP).
What is on the flight deck of a Boeing 747?
The flight deck contains stations for the pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer, plus a special navigation station not normally found on commercial Boeing 747 s. A lounge area and sleeping quarters for flight and maintenance crews are located aft of the flight deck.
What is the operation team area?
Behind the briefing room is the operations team area containing the automatic data processing equipment and seats and console work areas for 29 staff members. The consoles are configured to provide access to or from the automated data processing, automatic switchboard, direct access telephone and radio circuits, direct ("hot") lines, monitor panel for switchboard lines, staff, and operator inter-phone and audio recorder.
How long is the E-4B airborne?
In a test flight for endurance, the aircraft remained airborne and fully operational for 35.4 hours, however it was designed to remain airborne for a full week in the event of an emergency. It takes two fully loaded KC-135 tankers to fully refuel an E-4B. The E-4B has three operational decks: upper, middle, and lower.
What is the middle deck of a plane?
The flight crew consists of an aircraft commander, co-pilot, navigator, and flight engineer. The middle deck contains the conference room , which provides a secure area for conferences and briefings. It contains a conference table for nine people.
How many people are in the E-4B?
The E-4B is capable of operating with a crew up to 112 people including flight and mission personnel, the largest crew of any aircraft in US Air Force history. With in-flight aerial refueling it is capable of remaining airborne for a considerable period, limited only by consumption of the engines' lubricants.
When did Boeing get the E-4A?
Under the 481B NEACP program the Air Force Electronic Systems Division awarded Boeing a contract in February 1973 for two unequipped aircraft, designated E-4A, powered by four P&W JT9D engines, to which a third aircraft was added in July 1973.
