One of the U.S. military’s so-called “doomsday planes”, the Boeing E-4B, landed at a military facility in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening. The arrival of the aircraft has intensified speculation that the U.S. could become more directly involved in the escalating Israel–Iran crisis.
Although the Pentagon has not issued an official statement regarding the aircraft, the timing of its appearance, given the plane’s specialized design for nuclear warfare scenarios, has drawn significant attention.
The doomsday plane had previously been deployed during times when then-President Donald Trump was reportedly considering ordering a military strike against Iran. At the time, while Trump hinted at the possibility of a military operation, he also suggested openness to diplomacy with Iranian officials.
In a statement on Wednesday, Trump said:
“I don’t want to go to war. But if you have to choose between going to war and [Iran] having a nuclear weapon, you have to do what you have to do. Maybe we won’t have to go to war.”
What is the Doomsday Plane?
The so-called doomsday planes, including the E-4B Nightwatch, are modified Boeing 747 aircraft that have been maintained by the U.S. military since the 1970s as part of the Nightwatch fleet.
Originally developed during the Cold War, when the threat of nuclear war was seen as a real possibility, both the U.S. and the Soviet Union commissioned aircraft that could serve as “flying command centers” in the event of a nuclear conflict, allowing national leaders to issue commands while airborne.
These aircraft were also utilized during the 9/11 attacks.
The E-4B Nightwatch is capable of in-flight refueling and can remain airborne for extended periods. It is shielded against electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks and is designed to survive a nuclear blast. The aircraft is equipped with advanced satellite communications systems and can carry over 100 personnel.
With a design cost of $200 million, the E-4B includes a number of security features not found in commercial 747s. For example, the fleet is outfitted with older analog systems instead of modern digital equipment to ensure functionality even after exposure to EMP from a nuclear explosion.
The aircraft has very few windows and is equipped with special shielding to protect the crew from nuclear effects. Despite this, much of its technology and capability remain classified.
What is known, however, is that the aircraft can communicate with fixed landlines anywhere in the world. (Source: Euronews)