US Navy Has Received The First Upgraded E-6B Mercury ‘Doomsday Plane’

Northrop Grumman delivers first modified E-6 B Mercury as part of the Integrated Modification and Maintenance Contract (IMMC) for the U.S. Navy. (Photo Credit: U.S. Navy)  

Defence Blog: US Navy receives first upgraded E-6B ‘doomsday plane’ 

The U.S. Navy has received the first E-6B Mercury ‘doomsday plane’ upgraded under the Integrated Modification and Maintenance Contract (IMMC). 

According to a press release from Northrop Grumman, the Corporation successfully delivered the first E-6B Mercury aircraft under the IMMC back to the Navy in record time.

“Five kits were successfully integrated onto the E-6B platform, implementing efficiencies and improving aircraft command, control and communications functions,” said in a news release.  

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US Navy Has Received The First Upgraded E-6B Mercury ‘Doomsday Plane’  

Northrop Grumman Delivers First Modified E-6B Mercury to US Navy -- Northrop Grumman  

Northrop Grumman delivers first upgraded E-6B Mercury to US Navy -- Naval Today  

Mercury Rising! US Navy Receives 1st Modernized ‘Doomsday’ Aircraft That Can Talk To Nuke Submarines -- EurAsianTimes

The US Had Three "Doomsday" Aircraft Up At The Same Time Today

A third E-6B Mercury is active over the middle of the country. #AE0419 as JUST17 out of McConnell AFB, KS. https://t.co/GXQOIXtAip pic.twitter.com/Oru0BzpvDv

— TheIntelFrog (@TheIntelFrog) March 24, 2023

WNU Editor: Two were flying in the US, and one in Europe.

U.S. Deploys 'Doomsday Plane' To Europe

United States Navy Boeing E-6B Mercury © Wikipedia

A @USNavy E-6B Mercury assigned to @US_STRATCOM Wing One arrived in #Iceland recently, while conducting operations in the USEUCOM area of responsibility. The crew met w/U.S. Ambassador to Iceland Carrin Patman & other diplomatic & military leaders. #WeAreNATO @usembreykjavik pic.twitter.com/CLYdl86kP4

— U.S. European Command (@US_EUCOM) February 28, 2023

Ukrayinska Pravda: USA transfers "judgement day aircraft" to Europe  

An E-6B Mercury aircraft, which performs functions of an air command point of the US Navy, landed in Iceland on Tuesday, 28 February. 

The E-6B Mercury is the American military strategic control and communications aircraft as well as a command point of the US Navy. It is also called "judgement day aircraft". "

A US Navy E-6B Mercury [aircraft] assigned to the Strategic Command of the US Wing One arrived in Iceland recently, while conducting operations in the USEUCOM area of responsibility. The crew met with the US Ambassador to Iceland Carrin Patman and other diplomatic and military leaders." 

The E-6B Mercury is the American military strategic control and communications aircraft as well as a command point of the US Navy. It is also called "judgement day aircraft".  

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Update #1: The United States has deployed a “doomsday plane” in Europe (Eastern Herald) 

Update #2: US ‘doomsday plane’ flies to Europe (RT)  

WNU Editor: Just a reminder to everyone. The US deploys these planes if they are on high nuclear alert.

A Closer Look At U.S. And Russian Doomsday Planes

First Post: Is nuclear war coming? A close look at Doomsday planes — the presidential airborne command post 

Both the US and Russia have special airborne presidential command posts to manage major hostilities, especially a nuclear war. These are appropriately called the ‘Doomsday’ airborne command and control aircraft 

Nuclear war clouds are repeatedly appearing on the horizon. At least on five occasions, President Vladimir Putin or his foreign minister have used the ‘N’ word. Putin’s nuclear sabre-rattling is part of Russia’s escalate-to-deescalate strategy that he himself was its author as a young official. NATO has increased its troop deployment in Eastern and Central Europe “several times over”. The United States Air Force has sent its strategic bombers, the B-52 and the Stealth B-2, to European airbases closer to Russia. The frequency of bomber flights has increased over Europe and the Pacific.  

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WNU editor: In the past few weeks there have been reports that U.S. and Russian "doomsday" planes have been in the air. No one is commenting on whether these flights were routine or due to current tensions. 

In the meantime one of the UK's top diplomats is saying that global relations are "more dangerous and unpredictable" than at any time since the end of the Second World War .... NUCLEAR WARNING Nuke-threatened world ‘more dangerous’ than any time since WW2, top Brit security chief warns (The SUN).

Is Now The Time To Replace The Pentagon’s 1970s-Era Doomsday Planes?

An Air Force E-4B Nightwatch takes off from Lincoln Airport in Nebraska April 26. The airport in Lincoln is being used while repairs are made to Offutt Air Force Base following a March 2019 flood. (Daniel Woolfolk/Staff)  

Politico: Time is ticking to replace the Pentagon’s 1970s-era Doomsday planes  

Built to survive a nuclear attack, these Air Force aircraft are expected to fly well past their 50th birthday. 

ABOARD AN E-4B DOOMSDAY PLANE — Inside a military aircraft designed to survive a nuclear war, an area once used as a first class lounge now contains six blue passenger seats next to two sleeping bunks. 

Maj. Ted DeBonis, maintenance squadron commander, says it’s a break area for the 12 aircraft mechanics who accompany the plane on every hop, waiting to fix it anywhere in the world. 

It’s an unusual setup for a military aircraft. But a flying maintenance hangar is the kind of thing you need when you’re operating a plane that’s been around since the Carter administration.  

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WNU Editor: Are these planes necessary? .... Does America need its ‘Doomsday plane’? (Air Force Times).

Does America Need Its ‘Doomsday Plane’?

 

Air Force Times: Does America need its ‘Doomsday plane’? 

The role of the Air Force’s E-4B Nightwatch jet has expanded greatly since its Cold War origins 

ABOARD AN E-4B NIGHTWATCH JET OVER THE GREAT PLAINS — Sixty years after the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war, one of the U.S. military’s most unique airplanes is still standing guard in case of catastrophe. 

The E-4B National Airborne Operations Center — also known as “Nightwatch” — is a flying office for the secretary of defense that uses 42 different communications systems that enable it to connect to anyone in the world.  

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WNU Editor: It looks like both the U.S. and Russia are dedicated to their "doomsday planes" .... Biden and Putin BOTH show off 'Doomsday Planes' that can keep flying during a nuclear war: U.S. flies its $223million jet for a refueling mission over California while Russia's 'Flying Kremlin' soars over Moscow before its Victory Day parade (Daily Mail).

U.S. 'Doomsday Plane' Following President Biden On His Asian Trip

 

 THE DONG-A ILBO: ‘Doomsday Plane’ flies to Japan along with Biden’s trip to S. Korea 

With U.S. President Joe Biden headed to South Korea, the E-4B, dubbed the Nuclear National Airborne Operations Center, was deployed to the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. 

When the U.S. president travels overseas, an E-4B aircraft is customarily deployed on standby in a visiting country or a nearby region. However, it is a rare occasion where its flight route and destination are openly released, which seemingly intends to issue a warning against North Korea as it has arguably prepared to launch an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) and test nuclear weapons with President Biden’s visit to South Korea and his summit talk with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol scheduled on Saturday in mind.  

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WNU Editor: Here are 5 current military "hotspots" in Asia .... 5 Asian military hotspots and how they play into Biden's visit (CNN).

Russia's "Doomsday Plane" Appears During V-Day Parade Rehearsal

 

Daily Mail: Biden and Putin BOTH show off 'Doomsday Planes' that can keep flying during a nuclear war: U.S. flies its $223million jet for a refueling mission over California while Russia's 'Flying Kremlin' soars over Moscow before its Victory Day parade 

* Biden's 'Doomsday Plane' was spotted being prepped for action with a refueling drill over southern California 

* The craft carry special equipment and have the capability to communicate with anyone, anywhere in the world, and support analysts and strategists in-flight 

* The Air Force has four specially outfitted Boeing 747s, valued at around $223 million each. The aircraft have been around since the Cold War era of the 1970s 

* The planes are equipped with special equipment, including a 5-mile-long trailing antenna that ensures president can contact a nuclear submarine fleet 

* Last week Putin made a chilling veiled threat to go nuclear if the West 'interferes' in Ukraine 

* 'We have all the weapons we need for this. No one else can brag about these weapons, and we won’t brag about them. 

But we will use them President Biden's 'Doomsday Plane,' Air Force One's little-known sister aircraft designed to withstand nuclear apocalypse, was spotted being prepped for action with a refueling drill over southern California. 

Just this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin's own 'Doomsday' plane was seen flying around the outskirts of Moscow. The Russian leader placed his nuclear forces on high alert shortly after invading Ukraine, and officials worry he will resort to atomic weapons after staunch Western support has made Ukraine a more formidable opponent than he expected.  

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Russia's "Doomsday Plane" Appears During V-Day Parade Rehearsal  

Putin to send 'doomsday' warning to West at Russia's WW2 victory parade -- Reuters  

Vladimir Putin's 'Doomsday' plane for ruling Russia in nuclear war seen flying by Moscow -- Mirror  

A Russian Doomsday plane will hit a Victory Parade this month -- Interesting Engineering  

Russia's "doomsday plane" appears in V-day parade rehearsal -- Xinhua

U.S. 'Doomsday' Plane Deployed To England During President Biden's Trip In Europe

The E4-B Nightwatch flew to RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk from Edwards Air Force Base yesterday ahead of President Joe Biden's visit to Brussels to meet the leaders of NATO, the G7 and the European Council of Ministers 

Daily Mail: 'Doomsday' Boeing 747 dubbed 'Flying Pentagon' that was designed in 70s for US military leaders in case of nuclear war is deployed to England during President Joe Biden's NATO summit in Brussels 

* The E4-B Nightwatch flew to RAF Mildenhall ahead of Joe Biden's Europe trip 

* The US President attended meetings of G7, NATO and the European Council 

* The Doomsday plane is designed to issue commands in the event of nuclear war 

* Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia could use nuclear weapons 

The US Air Force has sent it's 'Doomsday' plane to Europe as part of a fleet of jets to support President Joe Biden's four-day mission to bolster unity against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

The E4-B Nightwatch is designed to be a command and control centre in the event of nuclear war. 

The US keeps at least one of the fleet of four on permanent standby for immediate launch in the event of a nuclear conflict.  

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WNU Editor: Another indication on high the tensions are between the West and Russia.

U.S. 'Doomsday' Plane Deployed To England During President Biden's Trip In Europe  

Doomsday plane worth €180m designed for nuclear war spotted flying below Ireland -- Irish Mirror  

US sends nuke-proof Doomsday plane known as Flying Pentagon to the UK -- News.com.au  

Inside ‘Doomsday plane’ designed to survive nuclear blasts in WW3 as it takes flight over Europe amid Ukraine war -- The SUN  

‘Doomsday Plane’ Accompanies Biden, Underscoring Heightened Tensions -- Flying  

Doomsday Aircraft Designed To Withstand Nuclear Blasts Spotted Flying Over English Channel -- LAD Bible

America's 'Doomsday' Plane Was Sent On A Four-Hour Training Flight After Russia Placed Its Nuclear Forces On High Alert

Four specially modified Boeing 747s — dubbed the E-4Bs or 'Doomsday planes' (pictured) — carry high-ranking members of the US Government around the world. This image shows an E-4B aircraft is towed out of its hangar June 17, 2009, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska  

Daily Mail: America's $200m 'Doomsday' plane that protects VIPs in the event of a nuclear conflict was sent on-four hour training flight hours after Putin's threats 

 * Military flight tracking sites showed the modified Boeing 747 had departed from US Air Force base in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Monday 

 * The E-4B carried out a training flight with other specialist military aircraft

 * The planes are outfitted as complete command centre for president and top officials in case of nuclear war or national emergency 

Air Force One's little-known sister aircraft the 'Doomsday Plane' - designed to protect high-ranking government officials from a nuclear attack - was sent on a four-hour training flight after Vladimir Putin placed Russia's nuclear forces on high alert. 

Military flight tracking sites showed the modified Boeing 747 had departed from the US Air Force base in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Monday evening. The E-4B carried out a training flight with other specialist military aircraft, reports the i newspaper.  

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WNU Editor: U.S. officials are saying that they have not raised America''s Defcon level, that everything is OK. But their actions are saying the opposite. 

America's 'Doomsday' Plane Was Sent On A Four-Hour Training Flight After Putin Placed Russia's Nuclear Forces On High Alert  

WAR BIRD USA’s ‘doomsday plane’ built to withstand NUCLEAR war takes flight in ‘training mission’ -- The SUN  

US ‘doomsday plane’ made four-hour flight following Putin’s nuclear weapons threat -- iNews  

America's nuke-resistant 'doomsday plane' spotted doing training mission over Nebraska -- Live Science

Kremlin Orders The Production Of Two More 'Doomsday' Planes To Control Russian Forces During A Nuclear War

The flying Kremlin command aircraft will replace the existing Ilyushin Il-80 Maxdomes (pictured) which are on permanent standby

The planes are designed for the president and other top military, security and ministerial officials in the event of nuclear war (Pictured: What the IL-96-400M will look like when it's finished)  

Daily Mail: Putin orders two more 'Doomsday' planes that would allow him to control Russian forces during nuclear war 

* Vladimir Putin is to get two 'Doomsday' planes for use during a nuclear war 

* Adapted Ilyushin 96-400M's allow control of troops during atomic catastrophe 

* First of new airborne command and control planes is now under construction 

Vladimir Putin is to get two new ultramodern 'Doomsday' planes for use during a nuclear war. 

The adapted Ilyushin 96-400M's allow the Russian leader to control troops and missiles during an atomic catastrophe. 

The first of the new airborne command and control planes is now under construction, said a source in the military-industrial sector. 

The flying Kremlin command aircraft will replace the existing Ilyushin Il-80 Maxdomes which are on permanent standby. 

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More News On Russian President Putin Ordering The Production Of Two More 'Doomsday' Planes  

Russia is reportedly working on a new 'Doomsday' plane, a flying command and control center for nuclear war -- Business Insider  

Russia to build two new 'Doomsday planes,' designed to withstand nuclear blast during war -- National Post/The Telegraph  

Russia building 2 new ‘Doomsday’ planes following Putin’s order -- FOX News/NYPost  

Russia is producing two new Doomsday planes, says government news agency -- Defense News

The Pentagon's “Doomsday Plane” Just Made An Highly Unusual Visit To Secretive Tonopah Test Range Airport

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III says farewell to the Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in India, Edgard Kagan, before departing New Delhi, India, last March 20. DoD/Lisa Ferdinando  

Warzone/The Drive: E-4B “Doomsday Plane” Just Made A Highly Unusual Visit To Secretive Tonopah Test Range Airport 

Seldom, if ever, do E-4Bs visit Tonopah Test Range Airport in Nevada and, in this case, the Secretary of Defense might have been onboard. In a highly unusual move, one of the U.S. Air Force’s E-4B Nightwatch aircraft, also known as National Airborne Operations Centers, or NAOCs, touched down today at Tonopah Test Range Airport (TTR), one of the most famous secretive aircraft operating locations in the United States, only surpassed by nearby Area 51. What might have triggered this highly unusual visit is puzzling, to say the least, but it seems it could (me must stress could)have been related to a possible visit to the facility by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. 

Confirmation of the E-4B’s arrival into TTR was provided using data available from open-source flight data website ADS-B Exchange, with the jet, serial number 74-0787, using the TITAN25 callsign usually assigned when the Secretary of Defense is onboard.  

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WNU Editor: The Pentagon's "Doomsday Plane" does not go anywhere unless there is a specific reason. In this case your guess is as good as mine.

Before There Were Doomsday Planes There Were Doomsday Ships

USS Wright seen in 1967 with a less cluttered deck, but with a huge communications dish. US Navy 

Warzaone/The Drive: There Were Doomsday Ships Ready To Ride Out Nuclear Armageddon Before There Were Doomsday Planes 

Had nuclear war broken out, three different presidents could have sought refuge aboard the Navy’s unique ‘Floating White Houses.’ 

 Among the U.S. government’s ever-evolving plans for what to do in an all-out nuclear confrontation, some of the least known involved highly modified warships that were deployed during one of the tensest periods between the Soviet Union and the United States. Had the Cold War turned hot, the U.S. president likely would have called the shots in the ensuing nuclear exchange from one of these remarkable ‘floating White Houses.’ These fascinating vessels were in every way a part of the ancestory of today's 'doomsday plane' airborne command posts. 

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WNU Editor: The problem with a doomsday plane is that once it becomes impossible to fuel it, it must land. A ship can stay out for weeks if not longer.

Thieves Are Successful In Breaking Into Russia's Il-80 Maxdome “Doomsday Aircraft” And Stealing Equipment

Russia’s Il-80 Doomsday Plane 

Warzone/The Drive: Thieves Broke Into Russia’s Il-80 Doomsday Plane 

The criminals removed a hatch and made off with radio equipment from the strategic airborne command post. 

In what seems like a remarkable breach of security, unknown thieves have helped themselves to equipment from inside one of the Russian Aerospace Forces’ rare Il-80 Maxdome “doomsday aircraft.” 

The converted airliner, which plays a role analogous to the U.S. Air Force’s E-4B, as a strategic airborne command post in time of nuclear conflict, was at an airfield in southwest Russia when the caper took place. 

While it is not clear exactly when the raid was carried out, the incident was reported today by Russia’s state-run media outlet RIA Novosti. 

According to their story, the Il-80 was undergoing maintenance when “unknown persons opened the cargo hatch” and stole what is described as “radio equipment.” 

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WNU Editor: Unbelievable.

Russia To Get A New Doomsday Plane

IL-80 air command post 

 TASS: Russia’s new Doomsday plane to be based on Il-96-400M — source 

Currently, an Il-80 plane is used for the purpose 

MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. Russia’s new Airborne Command Post, also known as the Doomsday plane, will be built on the basis of an Il-96-400M quadjet long-haul wide-body airliner, an aircraft industry source told TASS. 

Currently, an Il-80 plane is used for the purpose. "It is scheduled to replace it with an Il-96-400M. It will allow to significantly increase the period of airborne combat duty and to extend the radius for troop command," he said. 

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Update: Russia to Build New ‘Doomsday Plane’ Based on Il-96-400M (Defense World) 

WNU Editor: Russia keeps about 4 "doomsday planes" in its fleet.

Pentagon Deploys Two ‘Doomsday Planes’ Into The Air Just Before President Trump’s Covid Announcement

An E-6 Mercury on taking off from Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. © Wikipedia

Daily Mail: A warning to America's enemies? Two E-6B Mercury aircraft are seen flying over DC and Oregon as Trump announces he has COVID-19 with plane spotters suggesting it is 'a show of strength to not mess with the US' 

 * Early Friday morning, two military planes, E-6B Mercuries, were spotted flying over Washington, DC and Oregon 

 * These planes typically carry instructions from the National Command Authority to fleets of ballistic missile submarines 

 * The flyovers occurred minutes before President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump announced they had tested positive for the coronavirus * Most military aircraft fly with their transponders off, but the two planes launched with their transponders on, allowing them to be publicly tracked 

 * Plane spotters believe the flyover was a warning to America's enemies to not attack and 'a show of strength' 

Two military 'Doomsday planes' were seen flying along both US coasts on the morning President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump announced they had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. 

One Boeing E-6B Mercury was spotted along the East Coast near Washington, DC while the other was observed above Oregon. 

These planes typically carry instructions from the National Command Authority to fleets of ballistic missile submarines. 

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WNU Editor: The Pentagon is telling everyone that this was planned before the President's diagnosis .... Nobody’s getting nuked: Pentagon says ‘doomsday flights’ following Trump Covid-19 test were ‘pre-planned’ after Twitter hysteria (RT). What's my take. My gut tells me that once the President was waiting for his Covid-19 results, the decision was made in the Pentagon to send the planes up as a precautionary measure. To say that this is all a coincidence does not convince me. 

 More News On The Pentagon Deploying Two ‘Doomsday Planes’ Into The Air 

Flight of Boeing E-6B Mercurys amid Trump's coronavirus announcement 'purely coincidental': Strategic Command -- FOX News 

Donald Trump Tests Positive For COVID—And America’s Nuclear Doomsday Planes Launch Controversy -- Forbes 

US put its ‘doomsday planes’ in air just before Trump’s Covid announcement -- The Print 

NUKE ALERT America’s ‘Doomsday’ nuclear command planes mobilized by Pentagon as Trump tests positive for Covid-19 -- The SUN 

Doomsday planes hover as Trump tests positive for COVID-19 -- Aerotime Hub ‘Purely Coincidental’: Airborne Doomsday Planes Not Tied to Trump’s Coronavirus, STRATCOM Says -- Sputnik

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".

U.S. Doomsday Plane Designed To Survive A Nuclear War Severely Damaged By A Bird Strike

The U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury plane is designed to withstand a nuclear attack, but couldn't handle a bird strike

Daily Mail: US doomsday plane designed to survive a nuclear war suffers $2MILLION damage and is temporarily grounded by a BIRD-STRIKE

* The $141million 'doomsday' plane was landing at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland when a bird was sucked into one of its four engines
* No one was injured in the incident on October 2, but the damage amounted to at least $2million
* The engine was replaced and the aircraft was back in service
* On average, there are up to 3,000 wildlife collisions with military planes yearly

The Navy's E-6B Mercury - designed to survive a nuclear war as a flying communications and command post- has been grounded after it hit a bird during landing.

The $141million 'doomsday' plane was landing at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland when a bird was sucked into one of its four engines on October 2.

No one was injured in the incident but the damage amounted to at least $2million, while Tim Boulay, a spokesman for Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, confirmed that one of the engines had to be replaced.

The Naval Safety Center labelled the incident as 'class A' mishap, which means it involved death, permanent disability, or aircraft destruction worth $2million or more

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More News On A U.S. Doomsday Plane Severely Damaged By A Bird Strike

Bird strike grounds Navy ‘doomsday’ aircraft -- Navy Times
A Navy 'Doomsday' plane was severely damaged by a single bird strike -- Task & Purpose/Military.com
Birds cause millions in damage to Navy 'doomsday' plane -- Washington Examiner
Navy ‘Doomsday’ plane built to withstand nuclear attack grounded after striking single bird -- Daily News
Who Needs Missiles, Anyway? Bird Takes Down US Navy 'Doomsday' Aircraft -- Sputnik

An Inside Look At The US Military’s ‘Doomsday Plane’

An E-4B aircraft is towed out of its hangar June 17, 2009, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

Josh Plueger, US Air Force

CNBC: Here’s an inside look at the US military’s ‘doomsday plane’ — which can endure the aftermath of a nuke blast

* The E-4B, or “doomsday plane,” is a highly survivable flying fortress used to transport the secretary of Defense.
* Designed during the Cold War, the four planes are built to endure the immediate aftermath of a nuclear detonation.
* “The plane is basically a flying command center,” a Pentagon spokesman tells CNBC aboard the aircraft.

ABOARD A US MILITARY AIRCRAFT — There is no aircraft quite like the U.S. Air Force’s E-4B.

Affectionately known as the “doomsday plane,” the modified Boeing 747 is used to transport the secretary of Defense and is born and bred for battle. It stands nearly six stories tall, is equipped with four colossal engines, and is capable of enduring the immediate aftermath of a nuclear detonation.

“It’s like a backup Pentagon,” a U.S. Air Force crew member told CNBC aboard one of the aircraft. “There’s always one plane on alert and ready to go 24 hours, seven days a week.”

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WNU Editor:  I like the part that the systems on the plane are all analog.

CNN Goes On Board The 'Doomsday' Plane

CNN: Exclusive: On board the 'Doomsday' plane that can wage nuclear war

Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska (CNN)If Russia aimed a long range missile like the "Satan 2" it just tested or North Korea suddenly targeted the headquarters of the US nuclear arsenal, top commanders would have a small window to get to safety.

But the US is ready for such a scenario and the four-star general tasked with executing the US response to a nuclear strike would take to the air within minutes. He'd be able to carry out the President's orders and launch a nuclear attack in response from the safety of a specially equipped jet, known as the "Doomsday" plane.

"I have a certain amount of minutes to get on that plane and for that plane to get off and to a safe distance before a nuclear weapon went off here," John Hyten, the head of US Strategic Command, told CNN in an exclusive interview earlier this month from his headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base in eastern Nebraska.

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WNU Editor: These type of articles always show up when tensions are high with Russia.