Boeing E-4

The Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post, with the project name "Nightwatch",is an aircraft operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). To create the E-4 series, four Boeing 747-200B airframes were specially modified to serve as a survivable mobile command post for the National Command Authority, namely the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, and successors. The four E-4Bs are operated by the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron of the 55th Wing located at Offutt Air Force Base, near Omaha, Nebraska. An E-4B is denoted a "National Airborne Operations Center" when in action.

Role Airborne command post
Manufacturer Boeing
Introduction 1974
Status In service
Primary user United States Air Force
Number built 4
Unit cost US$223 million (1998 dollars)
Developed from Boeing 747-200

Specifications (E-4B)

Data from USAF Fact Sheet, Boeing 747-200 specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: up to 112
  • Length: 231 ft 4 in (70.5 m)
  • Wingspan: 195 ft 8 in (59.7 m)
  • Height: 63 ft 5 in (19.3 m)
  • Wing area: 5,500 ft² (510 m²)
  • Empty weight: 410,000 lb (190,000 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 800,000 lb (360,000 kg)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 833,000 lb (374,850 kg)
  • Powerplant: 4 × General Electric CF6-50E2 turbofans, 52,500 lbf (234 kN) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 523 knots (602 mph, 969 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: Mach 0.84 (555 mph, 895 km/h)
  • Range: 6,200 nmi (7,100 mi, 11,000 km)
  • Endurance: 150+ hours 
  • Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (14,000 m)
  • Wing loading: 150 lb/ft² (730 kg/m²)
  • Thrust/weight: 0.26

Source

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