By Maitreyee Thakkar

Copyright indiatimes

AgenciesThe Boeing E-4B Nightwatch is also dubbed as the ‘flying Pentagon’

A rare naked E-4B Nightwatch aircraft, commonly referred to as ‘doomsday plane’ was sighted in Fort Worth, Texas. The heavily modified Boeing 747 is specifically designed for the US government for times of national emergencies, especially nuclear war. The Texas sighting was ever rarer as the plane appeared stripped of its usual paint and covered in green zinc chromate coating, signaling ongoing maintenance or refurbishment efforts.What is the E-4B Nightwatch?The E-4B Nightwatch or National Airborne Operations Centers (NAOC) jets serve as airborne command posts for the President of the United States, Secretary of Defense and other senior military officials. These aircrafts are crucial for ensuring command and control of military functions in scenarios where ground-based command centers may have been destroyed.The jets are often referred to as ‘doomsday planes’ because of this critical role in continuity of governance and nuclear deterrence strategies. Built to withstand nuclear blasts, electromagnetic pulses (EMPs), and other forms of electronic warfare, the E-4B is specially designed to survive the effects of nuclear blasts. The aircraft can accommodate a large crew of over 100 personnel with an in-flight refueling capability for days. — LensOfMae (@LensOfMae) Unlike a typical aircraft, the E-4B’s singular purpose is to serve as a “flying Pentagon,” providing survivable command and control capabilities in worst-case scenarios, ensuring national leadership can direct forces and maintain communication even in the face of devastating attacks.The Texas aircraft’s unpainted condition revealed a green zinc chromate coating, a protective layer used typically before the application of final paint. This zinc chromate serves to prevent corrosion and damage to the aircraft’s skin.Live EventsTypically, E-4Bs have a striking white and blue paint scheme, which makes their distinctive satellite communications dome (SATCOM) and various antennas on the fuselage easily recognizable. Despite the absence of paint, the E-4B’s unique structural features made identification possible.Maintenance and upgradesThe maintenance of these aging aircraft is complex and essential. The E-4Bs were originally modified from Boeing 747-200 planes first introduced in the 1970s and further upgraded in the 1980s. The last of these 747-200 series aircraft rolled off Boeing’s assembly line around 1990s, with Boeing ceasing 747 production altogether in 2022. This has complicated maintenance because parts and expertise for this aging airframe are increasingly scarce.Depot maintenance for the E-4Bs, along with the Air Force’s VC-25A Air Force One 747-200 aircraft, is conducted primarily at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, near Lackland Air Force Base. Future of the doomsday E-4B and the E-4C conversionTo address the challenges of maintaining the aging E-4B fleet, the US Air Force is commissioning new E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center planes. These new aircraft are conversions of Boeing 747-8 airframes originally acquired secondhand from Korean Air. The Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is responsible for these conversions, working out of their facility in Dayton, Ohio.SNC has indicated early flight testing to reduce risks and ensure timely delivery of these newer aircraft, which are intended to eventually replace the aging E-4Bs. The exact number of E-4Cs to be delivered remains unclear, with estimates ranging from five to potentially eight or ten aircraft.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News ondoomsday planenuclear wargreen zinc chromate coatingBoeingUS Air ForceKelly Fieldflying pentagonNational Airborne Operations Centers(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates….moreless

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