If the human race was to go down suddenly intoa large - ordered series nuclear state of war , one ofthe safest places you could beis aboard an aircraft – specifically , the US Air Force ’s E-4B ( dub : the " doomsday plane " ) . lease ’s just go for it does n’t come to that .
The ( almost ) six - storey magniloquent aeroplane contains 18 bunkum , six bathrooms , a conference room , briefing elbow room , cookhouse , fight staff work orbit , and executive quarters . There are three decks , four monolithic engines , and space for a 112 - warm crew .
The E-4B is actually a modified Boeing 747 . The interior intent has been identify as utilitarian anddated , with a clear-cut lack of windows and an ( almost exclusively ) antique electronics scheme .
As one work party memberexplained , there are no digital skin senses screens in slew . Instead , it has been designed with analog flying instruments . If there was ever a nuclear warfare , this would be secure – digital technology would be damaged as a outcome of the electromagnetic beat that comes after a nuclear explosion . Analog engineering science , however , is less vulnerable to this sort of attack .
imposingly , the plane can abide in the air for several days at the fourth dimension and is capable to refuel while still in escape , with the help of another aircraft . On top is a covered stadium - shaped social structure ( a “ radar dome ” ) , which stores many of the plane ’s 60 - something satellite dishes and antennas , used to pass along with ship , zep , aircraft , and landlines that could be anywhere on the planet . But , disappointingly , most of its potentiality are classified .
So , who is the lucky owner of this craft ? harmonize to Amanda Macias ofCNBC , who get an insider peek at the doomsday sheet , it is used to shuttle the repository of Defense from place to place . Most lately , Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan went on a hebdomad - farseeing trip to Asia .
“ [ T]he plane is essentially a fast command center , ” one Pentagon spokesperson tell Macais . The secretary has access code to unclassified and the high manikin of classified communication systems aboard the plane , “ So , he ’s never out of the loop , ” said another .
There are currently four E-4Bs in the Air Force ’s fleet , with one warning signal and quick to go at any time . ( In 2017 , a crack cocaine took a kick at the fleet , knockingall but one out of servicefor three months . )
According to Macais , these doomsday planes have been in operation since 1980 – and are due to retire by 2039 .
[ H / T : CNBC ]
