Take a Look at These Airplanes Built For Times of Nuclear Warfare

The Boeing E-4B Nightwatch of the United States Air Force are true military command and control centers, designed to fly even for days in case of a nuclear war. The Boeing E-4B Nightwatch aircraft are unique in the world. They are designed in such a way that they can not be compared with any other airplane of the American Air Force.

These are aircraft whose objective is to serve as complete command centers for the Secretary of Defense and senior officials, including the heads of the Joint Chiefs of  Staff, in the event of a nuclear war or national emergency.

In times of peace, these devices are used for displacement of senior officials of the US Department of Defense.

Developed from the Boeing 747 passenger plane , the aircraft has 18 berths, six bathrooms, kitchen, meeting room and everything necessary to protect the military and political leadership of the country in case of nuclear conflict and destruction of infrastructure and communications on land.

The visible ‘hump‘ on top of the plane is called ‘ray dome’ and houses about 60 antennas of different types. This compartment is a key element of the E-4B, as it gives those on board the ability to get in touch with warships, submarines, airplanes and land lines anywhere in the world.

In addition, thanks to the refueling in flight and its huge fuel tanks, the aircraft can remain in the air for several days. The plane has three decks and can accommodate a crew of up to 112 people.

Although it could be believed otherwise, the plane uses analog equipment. With some exceptions, the electronics of the apparatus and its flight instruments are also outdated. This has a reason, which explains a member of the crew:

“This aircraft does not have digital touch screens in the cabin or elsewhere. The conditions in which it is meant to fly require an analogue [control system], since digital technology would cease to function during a nuclear war. This analog technology makes the E-4B more resistant to the electromagnetic pulse that follows an atomic explosion. ”