On the morning of September 11, 2001, just after two planes crashed into the World Trade Centre in New York City, a strange sight was seen above the White House in Washington, DC. A large, unmarked white jumbo jet was flying low in restricted airspace. It caught the attention of journalists and even security officials. This aircraft was later identified as an E-4B Nightwatch, also known as the Doomsday Plane.

The E-4B Nightwatch is a special military plane. It is a modified Boeing 747-200 aircraft that works as the National Airborne Operations Centre (NAOC) for the United States government. In simple terms, it is like a flying Pentagon — the command centre of the US military — and is designed to keep operating during a national emergency, including nuclear war.

The plane is rarely seen in public. On September 11, 2001, CNN journalist John King reported live from Lafayette Park near the White House and said that the area’s airspace is "generally restricted". According to a 2007 research paper by author Mark H. Gaffney, even the US Secret Service agents became more alert when they saw the aircraft that day. NBC journalist Bob Kur described it as "the most surreal of this morning's scenes" and said it was flying very slowly and at a low height.

This rarely spotted aircraft was again seen landing at Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC, on Tuesday. Its appearance has raised fresh concerns because it happened during a time when Israel and Iran are involved in an ongoing war. Some people on social media believe this shows that the US defence system is on high alert.

However, the US Air Force has often said that such flights are routine. According to them, at least one of the four E-4B planes is always on "alert status", which means it can take off within minutes if needed. Military experts also say the plane’s appearance during tense times is a way of showing that the country is always ready to respond.

What does the E-4B Nightwatch plane do?

The E-4B Nightwatch, often called the Doomsday Plane, is built to serve as an airborne command centre in case of a national emergency, especially during nuclear war. It allows the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defence, and top military leaders to continue working and communicating even if ground-based buildings are destroyed.

The plane is controlled by the Air Combat Command of the US Air Force. One of its key roles is to send and receive secure messages to and from nuclear submarines, bombers, and missile silos. It does this using special Very Low Frequency (VLF) and High Frequency (HF) antennas that can send signals across the world, even in times of nuclear conflict.

Why is the doomsday plane built like a flying fortress?

The E-4B is designed to survive very dangerous situations. It can keep flying even if there is a nuclear blast or an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), which can damage most electronic devices. That is why some parts of the plane do not even have windows. It also has shielded wiring and strong protection to make sure its systems still work under extreme conditions.

This aircraft can fly for many hours or even days without landing because it has in-flight refuelling. It can carry more than 110 people on board. The plane also receives regular technology upgrades, including digital communications and systems to protect against cyber attacks.

Some people believe that the plane can launch nuclear weapons, but this is not true. It is not a weapon. It is a command centre that helps leaders give orders to the military.

The Doomsday Plane is also sometimes used as a backup to Air Force One, especially when the US President travels overseas. Military commanders may also use it for other missions.

How did the Doomsday Plane come into service?

The E-4B Nightwatch was developed during the Cold War. It first started flying in the 1970s. The goal was to make sure that the US military could respond in case the Soviet Union launched a nuclear attack. Back then, at least one E-4B was always flying to be ready for anything.

After the Cold War ended and the Soviet Union collapsed, the plane no longer stayed in the air all the time. But it still remains ready to launch quickly from the ground when needed. Today, there are four of these planes, and they continue to play a major role in US defence plans.

Because of high maintenance costs and older technology, there are reports that the US may upgrade or replace the E-4B fleet in the future. But for now, the Doomsday Plane still stands ready as a mobile command centre in case of major emergencies.

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