What to know about the Doomsday plane

While President Donald Trump weighs if he will target Iranian nuclear installations in a context of Israeli-Iranian conflict, the president of Air Force E-4B of the President, also known as “Doomsday Plane”, now attracts attention, having landed at the common base Andrews outside Washington, DC, earlier this week, Media.

In response to requests on the alleged landing of Nightwatch, in charge of the Andrews Base Base, told Fox News Digital that “in terms of operational security, we cannot comment on a specific location or objective of the (National Airborne Operations Center) or other planes on our flight line”. Other reports indicate that the plane is no longer in the Washington region and is back at home.

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Here is what you need to know about the E-4B Nightwatch:

Military staff run an E-4B Nightwatch at Lincoln Airport on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. Plans, colloquially known as Doomsday planes, normally fly from the Air Force base in Bellevue, Nebraska, but are in Lincoln while this track is rebuilt. (Chris Machian / Omaha World-Herald via AP)

What is E-4B?

The E-4B is a Boeing 747-200 which was militarized and operated by the US Air Force. Designed during the Cold War, the plane can stay in the air up to a week and is able to refuel in the air.

Sixty-seven antennas and satellite dishes allow the Nightwatch to communicate with individuals in the world.

The United States maintains a fleet of four E-4Bs, built at a cost of $ 438.76 million each.

Who protects the E-4B?

A US-4B US Air Force assigned to 595th Command and Control Group, Offutt Air Force, Neb., Fly on a training outing on the Midwest, May 15, 2024. The E-4B is a militarized version of the Boeing 747-200, composed of four engines and a swept design. It is capable of long -range and high altitude operations and outdoor supply. (Us Air Force Photo de Tech. Sgt. Codie Trimble)

The E-4B is designed as a mobile command post which allows national security officials, joint staff chiefs, the president and the defense secretary to continue to manage the government during a nuclear conflict.

According to a USAF press release, it is also used for international travel by the Secretary of Defense.

“In addition, the E-4B provides outside the support of the continental United States travel to the Secretary of Defense and its staff to ensure the connectivity of the command and control of the title 10.” According to the aviation area, In 1994, FEMA was authorized to use the aircraft as a control and control center during natural disasters.

Defense secretary Pete Hegseth signs a memorandum aboard an E-4B Nightwatch plane while flying over the Pacific Ocean on March 28, 2025. (Photo Dod by US Air Force Senior Airman Madelyn Keech)

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Accessible to the public American Air Force data declares that “at least one E4-B is still generated as a NAOC and on alert 24 hours a week, 7 days a week” to support senior defense officials.

The E-4B can contain a team of 112. On board, managers have access to 18 berths, six bathrooms, a conference room, a communication space, a briefing room and a rest area.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Moone, a browser on an E-4B Nightwatch, is preparing to take off at Lincoln airport on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. (Chris Machian / Omaha World-Herald via AP)

Why use the E4-B?

The Air Force says that “the conduct of E-4B operations includes all the phases of the threat spectrum”. Nightwatch can withstand an electromagnetic impulse and can survive nuclear explosions and cyber attacks.

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What is the current threat?

Iran leaders have threatened to reprisals against the United States in the event that it enters the Israel-Iran conflict. Theresa Payton, the former chief information director of the White House and CEO of the Cybersecurity Company Fortalice Solutions, told Fox News Digital that the Islamic regime could prepare a high impact cyberattack in the United States “as it becomes more and more desperate”.

Lieutenant-Colonel Peter J. Amaral, on the left, and Major Ted Debonis left an E-4B Nightwatch at Lincoln airport on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. (Chris Machian / Omaha World-Herald via AP)

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The president would decide to use the opportunity to use the B-2 stealth bomber to offer a series of massive penetration of 30,000 pounds GBU-57, also known as “Bunker Busters”, to destroy the nuclear installation of Ford-Fordow of Iran, which can be further from 300 feet below the mountainous rock.

While Israel targeted the installations associated with the Iranian and Iranian military nuclear program on June 19, Iran hit Soroka hospital, the largest hospital in the south of Israel, with a ballistic missile, causing damage.