The Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post (AACP), the current “Night Watch” aircraft, is a strategic command and control military aircraft operated by the United States Air Force.
The E-4 series are specially modified from the Boeing 747-200B for the National Emergency Airborne Command Post program.
The E-4 serves as a survivable mobile command post for the National Command Authority, namely the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defence, and successors.
The four E-4Bs are operated by the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron of the 595th Command and Control Group located at Offutt Air Force Base, near Omaha, Nebraska.
An E-4B when in action is denoted a “National Airborne Operations Centre”.
Variants
E-4A
Three aircraft produced, powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7R4G2 engines.
No bulge to house equipment on top of fuselage.
These were later converted to E-4Bs.
E-4B
One built and equipped with 52,500-lb CF6-50E2 engines.
Has nuclear electromagnetic pulse protection, nuclear and thermal effects shielding, advanced electronics, and a wide variety of communications equipment.
Specifications
Crew
4
Capacity
Up to 108 mission crew
Length
231 ft 4 in (70.51 m)
Wingspan
195 ft 8 in (59.64 m)
Height
63 ft 5 in (19.33 m)
Wing area
5,500 sq ft (510 m2)
Airfoil
Root
BAC 463 to BAC 468
Tip
BAC 469 to BAC 474
Empty weight
410,000 lb (185,973 kg)
Gross weight
800,000 lb (362,874 kg)
Max take-off weight
833,000 lb (377,842 kg)
Powerplant
4 × General Electric F103 turbofan engines, 52,500 lbf (234 kN) thrust each
