The U.S. Needs A New 'Doomsday Plane'

An E-4B aircraft on the tarmac at Travis Air Force Base, California, September 11, 2017. US Air Force/Louis Briscese

Business Insider: The Air Force's 'Doomsday plane,' where the president can run a nuclear war, needs repairs for wear and tear

* The US Air Force's "Doomsday plane" is undergoing maintenance and upgrades, according to Defense One.
* The Boeing E-4B "Nightwatch" and the Navy's E-6B "Mercury" planes are built to allow the president to direct US forces in the event of a nuclear war.
* It has also served as a mobile Pentagon for defense secretaries, but it's being pulled out of that role to reduce wear on the aircraft.

The E-4B "Nightwatch" plane, which would allow the president to give military orders in the event of a nuclear war and has served as a mobile Pentagon for defense secretaries, is worn out, Defense One's Marcus Weisgerber reports.

The so-called Doomsday plane — which is the Air Force's four E-4Bs and the Navy's E-6B "Mercury" — has been in service since the 1970s, much like Air Force One, and is expected to keep flying through the 2020s. But to preserve the planes, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has had to use other military aircraft when traveling, including a C-17 Globemaster and a C-32 airliner, both smaller than the E-4B.

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Update #1: The Air Force’s ‘Doomsday Plane’ Is in the Shop (Defense One)
Update #2: Too Old for This Stuff? Most US 'Doomsday Planes' Are in Shop Due to 'Age-Related Problems' (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: Bottom line. The U.S. needs a new "Doomsday Plane".