America’s ‘doomsday’ plane has been seen being prepped for action, 24 hours after Vladimir Putin’s aircraft for use in the event of nuclear war with the West was seen flying over Moscow.
The E-4B Nightwatch, an airborne command centre for the US President in times of war, has today pictured being refuelled over southern California.
Test pilots and personnel from the 418th Flight Test Squadron, out of Edwards Air Force Base, California, conducted the aerial refuelling testing with a KC-46 Pegasus tanker in April.
The Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post, the current ‘Nightwatch’ aircraft, is a strategic command and control military aircraft operated by the United States Air Force.
It comes following chilling video showing war lord Putin’s Ilyushin Il-80 passing low amid tension that he will resort to atomic weapons over the conflict in Ukraine.
Russian officials have confirmed the aircraft will be showcased with a low flypast at Monday’s annual Victory Day parade on Red Square, and is involved in “rehearsals” for the display.
The plane accompanied American President Joe Biden during a trip to Europe in April.
The E-4B serves as the National Airborne Operations Center and is a key component of the National Military Command System for the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command and control centres, the aircraft provides a highly survivable command, control and communications centre to direct US forces, execute emergency war orders and coordinate actions by civil authorities.
The E-4B is said to be protected against the effects of electromagnetic pulse.
It has an electrical system designed to support advanced electronics and a wide variety of communications equipment.
An advanced satellite communications system provides worldwide communication for senior leaders through the airborne operations centre.
Other improvements include nuclear and thermal effects shielding, acoustic control, an improved technical control facility and an upgraded air-conditioning system for cooling electrical components.
It comes after the Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that eight MiG-29SMTs will fly in the form of the letter ‘Z’ in support of Russian servicemen participating in a special military operation in Ukraine.
The Maxdome is designed to act as a Kremlin-in-the-sky in the event of nuclear attack, and can be refuelled in mid-air.
Putin would be able to rule Russia and issue commands to his military for nuclear strikes from the airborne command post.