This massive plane, weighing as much as 80 African elephants, is as long as a football field and as tall as a five-story building. Known as the E-4B “Nightwatch,” it serves as the U.S. Air Force’s National Airborne Operations Center, designed for use in national emergencies, including nuclear strikes.
The E-4B provides a survivable command center for the President, Secretary of Defense, and Joint Chiefs of Staff if ground facilities like the White House or Pentagon are destroyed. With its advanced shielding, mid-air refueling capability, and powerful engines generating 208,000 pounds of thrust, it can stay airborne for up to 12 hours—or indefinitely with refueling.
Stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, the E-4B is part of a fleet of just four aircraft, always on standby. Each costs $223.2 million, highlighting its critical role in national security.