See inside the E-4B 'Nightwatch,' nicknamed the 'doomsday plane' for its ability to help US presidents survive nuclear war

businessinsider.com language
2025-05-24 21:51 event
2 weeks ago schedule

Air Force One is known as the "flying Oval Office," but there's a lesser-known presidential plane that can operate as a "flying war room."

An E-4B plane. — The E-4B "Nightwatch" is also known as the "doomsday plane."
Justin Oakes/US Air Force

The E-4B "Nightwatch" is nicknamed the "doomsday plane" because it can survive a nuclear attack.
In the event of nuclear war, it would serve as the US military's command and control center.
It is the US Air Force's most expensive plane to operate, at $159,529 per hour.

Air Force One is known as the "flying Oval Office," but there's another lesser-known presidential plane that can operate as a "flying war room": the E-4B "Nightwatch."

Nicknamed the "doomsday plane" for its ability to survive a nuclear blast, the E-4B is designed to protect the president and other senior officials and function as a military command center in worst-case scenarios. It also transports the Secretary of Defense on international trips.

Many of the E-4B's features are classified, but the US Air Force has shared some glimpses into its capabilities. Take a look inside the top-secret aircraft.

The E-4B "Nightwatch" is a militarized version of a Boeing 747-200.

The US Air Force's fleet of four E-4Bs comprises the National Airborne Operations Center at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska.

It costs $159,529 per hour to operate, making it the Air Force's most expensive plane.

An E-4B plane takes off. — An E-4B at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.
US Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Skovo

Each E-4B costs $223.2 million to build, according to the US Air Force.

A standard crew consists of 60 people with 15 different specialties.

An E-4B flight simulator. — An E-4B simulator training mission.
US Strategic Command

In 2022, the Air Force debuted a $9.5 million E-4B simulator to train pilots, flight engineers, and other crew members to operate the aircraft, according to the US Strategic Command.

The E-4B can refuel while in flight, allowing it to fly for several days at a time.

An E-4B plane is refueled in flight. — An E-4B can refuel in flight.
US Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Codie Trimble

The E-4B can fly for 12 hours straight without refueling.

Its communications technology is kept in a bulge on top of the plane called the ray dome.

Air Force E-4B — An E-4B aircraft on the tarmac at Travis Air Force Base, California, September 11, 2017.
US Air Force/Louis Briscese

The E-4B possesses more communications capabilities than Air Force One with around 67 satellite dishes and antennas in the ray dome.

The plane's exterior also features thermal and nuclear shielding, and its electrical system can withstand electromagnetic pulses.

The plane's main deck features six functional areas.

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper speaks to reporters on board an E-4B plane. — Then-Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper met with reporters on board an E-4B in 2019.
DoD photo by US Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith

The layout includes a command room, conference room, briefing room, operations team work area, communications room, and a rest area, according to the US Air Force.

The plane can seat up to 112 people.

In the briefing room, officials update members of the press and conduct meetings with staff.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter speaks with members of the media on board an E-4B aircraft. — Then-Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met with members of the press while traveling to Europe in 2015.
Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz/US Secretary of Defense

The E-4B isn't just a "doomsday plane." The Secretary of Defense occasionally uses it to travel overseas and hold press briefings.

Located in the center of the plane, the battle staff room is where officers would gather to strategize in a national emergency.

The battle staff room on board an E-4B.
Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo/US Secretary of Defense

In the event of a nuclear attack or other apocalyptic scenario, the president, secretary of defense, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff would use the plane as a secure command and control center similar to the Pentagon.

The rest area has 18 crew bunks, while the Secretary of Defense occupies private quarters on international trips.

A flight attendant on an E-4B plane wipes down a table. — The private quarters on the E-4B.
Lance Cheung/US Air Force photo

The Secretary of Defense's private quarters are furnished with a bunk and a desk with chairs.

The E-4B is staffed and on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A simulated alert mission on an E-4B Nightwatch plane. — E-4B crew members carry out simulated alert missions.
US Air Force photo by Lance Cheung

At least one E-4B has been on continuous alert since 1975, ready to deploy at a moment's notice.

Read the original article on Business Insider

230. I've made over $40,000 selling plush dolls I scoop from claw machines. Here's how I learned to beat the game and turn my hobby into a profitable side hustle.

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

Mike Nay started playing with claw machines over the pandemic. When arcades reopened, he could barely fit all the plushies he was winning in his home.

231. How to watch the French Open: Live stream the 2025 tennis tournament free from anywhere

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

The second Grand Slam of 2025 is underway. Learn how to watch the French Open, so you don't miss one second of the action at Roland-Garros.

232. Crypto billionaire Justin Sun showed off a $100K Trump watch after an exclusive dinner with the president — here's everything you should know about him

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

The crypto billionaire now sports a Trump-branded watch after an exclusive dinner with President Donald Trump.

233. Elon Musk says he's getting back to business at X and Tesla: 'I must be super focused'

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

Elon Musk is turning his attention back to his companies, including X, xAI, and Tesla, the tech giant said in a Saturday post on X.

234. Read the letter a senator sent to Spotify after BI found 200 fake podcasts on the platform peddling opioids

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire is demanding answers from Spotify after a BI investigation found 200 fake podcasts peddling opioids.

235. McDonald's shuts down its spin-off, CosMc's, after less than 3 years as sales lag

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

McDonald's is closing its line of CosMc's drink shops after less than three years. McDonald's reported lagging sales earlier this month.

236. I moved in with my 81-year-old grandmother during college. It was exactly what I needed.

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

At first people thought it was weird that I was living with her during college. We would have dinner together every night.

237. Former OceanGate staffers say CEO Stockton Rush 'wanted fame' and describe him as a 'borderline psychopath' in new Netflix documentary trailer

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

The Titan sub imploded in June 2023 while descending to view the Titanic wreck, killing all five people on board.

238. Simplify Investing With Personalized Stock Recommendations From This $55 App

2 weeks ago schedule
entrepreneur.com language

Build your stock portfolio and get lifetime investing support from Sterling Stock Picker for only $55.

239. See inside the E-4B 'Nightwatch,' nicknamed the 'doomsday plane' for its ability to help US presidents survive nuclear war

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

Air Force One is known as the "flying Oval Office," but there's a lesser-known presidential plane that can operate as a "flying war room."

240. An Idea This Dad Developed at His Kitchen Table Is Now a Beloved Kids' Toy That Has Sold Over 3 Million Units. Here's How the Inventor of Ollyball Made It Happen.

2 weeks ago schedule
entrepreneur.com language

Joe Burke discusses the launch and growth of his wildly popular invention, Ollyball.

241. A US Navy captain tells BI his heart was racing when his warship came under Houthi fire for the first time

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

Cdr. Jacob Beckelhymer told BI what it was like to battle the Iran-backed rebels in the Red Sea last year.

242. 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' supposedly concludes the franchise. But is it really the end?

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

The end of "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" leaves the door open for future movies. Is this really Tom Cruise's last "M:I" movie?

243. My in-laws stayed in our 1-bedroom apartment for over a month. It was hard to be productive, so I had to set boundaries.

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

My in-laws stayed with us in our 1-bedroom apartment for 38 days. I felt like I couldn't say 'no,' and it taught me about setting boundaries.

244. We talked to 2 retail investors who dumped stocks in response to Trump uncertainty. They told us why they have no regrets.

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

Angelo Sibilio and Matt White told Business Insider why they increased their cash holdings and aren't planning to jump back in the market soon.

245. Grilling season is here. Chefs share tips to make the best burgers.

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

In this Saturday edition of Business Insider Today, we're talking about the best grilling tips from chefs.

246. 'Tip creep' is pushing some customers to leave smaller tips, and driving others to avoid businesses that ask for them

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

Customers are seeing 'tip creep' as requests for tips pop up in more places, a Morning Consult survey found.

247. Bond-market panic is being overhyped by market 'tourists,' says Morgan Stanley strategist

2 weeks ago schedule
markets.businessinsider.com language

Jim Caron of Morgan Stanley rejected fears that Treasurys were no longer safe havens and said rising bond yields were a global issue, not just a US problem.

248. 'The ultimate girl math': Meet the women who make thousands a month renting their clothes

2 weeks ago schedule
businessinsider.com language

BI spoke with five women who rent clothing on the app Pickle about their earnings, strategies, and putting their clothes to the most profitable use.

Cookie Policy