The “Doomsday Plane” E-4B is a modified Boeing 747 supplied to the President of the United States capable of withstanding even a nuclear attack. And on February 28, it took to the skies for a short training mission, just shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement that his country's nuclear forces would be placed on alert.
Training for this “doomsday” aircraft began at a U.S. Air Force base in Nebraska. It then continued with a flight of about four and a half hours in the Chicago area, finishing soon after. The British news site reported the report iNews. During its short sortie, the plane would be accompanied by several escort jets, also used to track ballistic missiles.
Nuclear-proof plane
The E-4B spotted in training is part of a group of military aircraft known as Nightwatch, which have been in service with the US military since the 70s. Its goal is to act as a mobile command headquarters for high-level military personnel in the event of nuclear war, and includes some security measures you will never find on a commercial 747.
Among many, the aircraft costing around 200 million dollars is designed entirely with analog technology. It has no digital equipment, and this allows it to remain in flight even after suffering the electromagnetic pulse of a nuclear explosion. Needless to say, it is also resistant to any cyberattack.
One more detail: the plane, almost completely devoid of windows, is also equipped with special shielding to protect passengers and crew from the thermal effects of a nuclear war. A sort of "hump" on its nacelle houses more than 65 antennas of all kinds, which allow the E-4B to communicate with ships, submarines, planes and landlines anywhere in the world. Many of the aircraft's other features remain classified.
A planned training (?)
At least one E-4B is always ready to take to the skies, and the fleet conducts regular training and readiness missions.
It is unclear whether Monday's operation was a direct result of Vladimir Putin's order that Russia's nuclear missile force be moved to an "enhanced" alert level. According to Reuters, Vladimir Putin credited the “provocative” remarks of NATO leaders and Western economic sanctions against Russia as the cause of his choice.
For his part, Joe Biden has stated that there will be no change in US nuclear policy, and that there is no reason to believe that there is a risk of nuclear war with Russia, even in a situation like that. that has come to be created.
