The advanced airborne command center Boeing E-4B, commonly referred to as the “Doomsday Plane,” was developed during the Cold War as a contingency plan in the event of a nuclear conflict.
Since the invention of nuclear weapons and their use in World War II, the world has been compelled to contemplate the looming threat of nuclear war.
Consequently, the United States military has established several contingency plans in case the country finds itself in a potential nuclear conflict. One of these defensive measures is dubbed the “Doomsday Plane”, which is more accurately described as a series of aircraft used as airborne bases for operations against nuclear radiation.
Boeing E-4B, also known as “Doomsday Plane”, is utilized as an airborne command center during crises. (Photo: Allthatsinteresting).
The “Doomsday Plane” has the official name National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC), consisting of four E-4B aircraft – modified versions of the Boeing 747-200 – also known as Nightwatch planes. Each is equipped with state-of-the-art communication devices to enable top military officials to maintain control after a nuclear crisis.
Although the role of the “Doomsday Plane” is to be used during a potential nuclear crisis, in practice, they are also employed for various other purposes. These doomsday planes have evolved over approximately 60 years to serve multiple defense purposes.
Advanced airborne command post E-4 on an EMP simulator for testing. (Photo: Allthatsinteresting).
According to a report from Air Force Times, the original mission of the doomsday planes was to direct military assets during the Cold War. These aircraft were initially only equipped with necessary communication devices for national leaders to communicate with one another, but the military quickly recognized the potential benefits of a mobile military command center.
Currently, these planes are used as a mobile all-in-one command center, equipped to handle various war-related crises, although this deployment is yet to be fully utilized. These massive jets feature a mobile office space of 1,524 square meters, including a secure conference room, a press briefing room, and bunk beds. They can remain airborne for days on end, during which national security experts can theoretically maintain communication.
The E-4Bs are also fitted with windows protected against electromagnetic pulse (EMP) waves generated by nuclear explosions, and the cockpit is equipped with specialized masks to prevent the pilots from being blinded by these blasts.
Moreover, the jets typically undergo alternating heavy maintenance cycles lasting 30 days to ensure they are always operationally ready.
“These planes can be operational 24/7, 365 days a year, with personnel always onboard, ensuring that those 42 different communication systems are connected when they need to be, and they continuously maintain those systems,” said Lieutenant Colonel Mike Shirley to Air Force Times.
Illustration of the interior layout of the U.S. Air Force’s Doomsday Plane. (Photo: Allthatsinteresting).
Each jet can accommodate a crew of 65, and depending on the needs of those onboard, they can connect to any phone line, tune into any radio or television station…
For some, the necessity for such a contingency plan may seem excessive, but officials and military experts assert that this is an advantage for monitoring all situations, including those that could escalate into nuclear conflict.
These planes were first formed in 1973 under the name E-4A, according to Interesting Engineering, with the first official E-4B being delivered by Boeing in December 1979. Over six years, three E-4A models were converted to the E-4B and have been repeatedly upgraded since then.
The initial deployment of E-4B jets is estimated to have cost around $250 million, but by 2005, the U.S. Air Force awarded a 5-year contract worth $2 billion to Boeing for the continuous modernization of the doomsday planes. Additionally, the Air Force is required to pay approximately $160,000 per hour to operate the aircraft.
The U.S. Air Force is currently developing a replacement aircraft for the E-4B, but it is unclear when a new program will be launched. (Photo: Allthatsinteresting).
However, despite modernization efforts, the fact remains that the E-4B originates from the 1970s. It is clear that the military sees value in maintaining some form of airborne command center, but the question remains whether these planes, in their current form, are still a viable option.
In fact, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld initially planned for all four of these aircraft to be retired by 2009, although this never occurred. One was retired in 2007 but was later brought back into service.
In 2021, the U.S. Air Force began developing a platform that could replace their current doomsday aircraft, referred to as the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC). The Air Force stated in early 2022 that this program is still “in the development stage,” but they also requested $203 million for research, development, testing, and evaluation of the program as part of their budget request for 2023.
This amount has more than doubled the 2022 request of $95 million and quadrupled the 2021 request of $50 million. Predictions from the Future Years Defense Program estimate that funding will only continue to increase, potentially reaching $610 million by 2024 and $856 million by 2025.
However, some committees have raised concerns about the timeline and whether the SAOC will be ready before the NAOC reaches its actual end of life.
