The E-4B is designed to survive an EMP with systems intact and has state-of-the-art direct fire countermeasures. Design National Emergency Airborne Command Post internal configuration, April 1976 In addition to the purchase and upgrade costs, the E-4 costs nearly $160,000 per hour (equivalent to $195,097 in 2022) for the Air Force to operate. In 2005, the Air Force awarded Boeing a five-year, US$2 billion contract (equivalent to $3 billion in 2022) for the continued upgrade of the E-4B fleet. The E-4B fleet had an estimated roll-out cost of approximately US$250 million each. Hardening the aircraft meant that all equipment and wiring on board was shielded from EMP. The E-4B offered a vast increase in communications capability over the previous model and was considered to be 'hardened' against the effects of nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) from a nuclear blast. īy January 1985, all three E-4As had been retrofitted to E-4B models. This contains the aircraft's SHF satellite antenna. On 21 December 1979, Boeing delivered the first E-4B (AF Serial Number 75-0125), which was distinguished from the earlier version by the presence of a large streamlined radome on the dorsal surface directly behind the upper deck. In December 1973, a fourth aircraft was ordered it was fitted with more advanced equipment, resulting in the designation E-4B. In November 1973, it was reported that the program cost was estimated to total $548 million (equivalent to $3.61 billion in 2022) for seven 747s, with six as operational command posts and one more for research and development. An E-4 advanced airborne command post (AABNCP) on the nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) simulator for testing. The A-model effectively housed the same equipment as the EC-135, but offered more space and an ability to remain aloft longer than an EC-135. The third E-4 differed by being powered by the GE F103 engine, which was later made standard and retrofitted to the previous two aircraft. The next two were delivered in October 1973 and October 1974. E-Systems won the contract to install interim equipment in these three aircraft, and the first completed E-4A was delivered in July 1973 to Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. The first E-4A was completed at the Boeing plant outside Seattle, Washington in 1973. Under the 481B NEACP program the Air Force Electronic Systems Division awarded Boeing a contract in February 1973 for two unequipped aircraft, designated E-4A, powered by four P&W JT9D engines, to which a third aircraft was added in July 1973. When the airline did not complete the order, Boeing offered the airframes to the United States Air Force as part of a package leading to a replacement for the older EC-135J National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP). Two of the original 747-200 airframes were originally planned to be commercial airliners. An E-4B when in action is denoted a "National Airborne Operations Center". 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. 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 Defense, and successors. The E-4 series are specially modified from the Boeing 747-200B for the National Emergency Airborne Command Post ( NEACP) program. The Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post ( AACP), the current "Nightwatch" aircraft, is a strategic command and control military aircraft operated by the United States Air Force (USAF).
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