US 'Doomsday Plane' Flies to Washington Amid Iran Tensions
Amid rising tensions with Iran, a US Boeing E-4B Nightwatch, dubbed the "doomsday plane," conducted a rare flight to Joint Base Andrews near Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. This aircraft serves as a mobile command center in the event of a nuclear conflict or national emergency.
Flight Details and Significance
Leaving Bossier City, Louisiana, it flew an unusual route along the coast before landing in Maryland, using the callsign ORDER01, sparking speculation of a priority mission.
E-4B Nightwatch: An Airborne Command Center
The E-4B is designed as an airborne command center for key US leaders during crises. It gained prominence after being deployed on September 11, 2001. Equipped to withstand nuclear strikes and cyberattacks, it can launch retaliatory missiles and maintain communication globally via numerous satellite connections.
The plane can remain airborne for over 35 hours, with mid-air refueling allowing for week-long operation.
Tensions and Future Replacements
This flight occurred as tensions escalated between the US and Iran, further fueled by Iranian government aircraft departures and warnings from Iran's Supreme Leader. The US Air Force is developing the next-generation Nightwatch aircraft to replace the existing fleet. Its timing during heightened global instability highlights the importance of this highly secretive plane.
