Jump to content

Pentagon's Nuke-Proof 'Doomsday' Fleet Has Tornado Hit


Monroe

Recommended Posts

So much for 'Doomsday' ... what about today ? ... right now !

From the article:

"One of the planes is typically kept running at all times, with the engine running 24 hours a day at the Offutt base when the president is in the US. In the event of an emergency, the plane is ready to take off almost immediately."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4634414/Pentagons-nuke-proof-Doomsday-planes-damaged-tornado.html

Tornado knocks out half the Pentagon's fleet of nuke-proof 'Doomsday' planes

Two E4-B Boeing 747s damaged by a tornado at Nebraska's Offutt Air Force Base

Pentagon maintains a fleet of four of the 'Doomsday' flying command posts

They transport the secretary of defense abroad and serve as flying fortresses

Designed to remain in air for days at a time and withstand EM and thermal blasts

By Keith Griffith For Dailymail.com and Afp

Updated 24 June 2017

Two of the Pentagon's four specially reinforced 'Doomsday' planes, designed to withstand the heat from a nuclear blast, have been grounded after being damaged by a tornado.

The Air Force said Friday that two E4-B Boeing 747s were damaged when a tornado whipped through Nebraska's Offutt Air Force Base with little advance warning on June 16.

Built in the 1970s during the Cold War, the planes are essentially flying command centers that can refuel in the sky and are designed to remain airborne for days on end in times of crisis.

The two damaged 'Doomsday' planes were reportedly parked in hangars during the storm, but their tails were exposed to strong winds. 

The Air Force has four E4-Bs, which also shuttle the secretary of defense around the world.

'Two E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft stationed at Offutt AFB received storm damage,' Air Force spokesman Colonel Pat Ryder said.

Not including the damage to aircraft, the tornado caused an estimated $7million to $10million in damage to the base facilities, 55th Wing spokesman Drew Nystrom told the Omaha World Herald.

Additionally, seven RC-135 reconnaissance planes suffered minor damage in the tornado and another needed an inspection.

The E-4B is a 747 that has been reinforced to protect against the electromagnetic pulse from a nuclear blast and is shielded from a thermal blast.

The planes, also called 'National Airborne Operation Centers' when they are in-flight, have special equipment and have the capability to communicate with anyone from anywhere in the world and support analysts and strategists on the flight. 

...

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...