In the event of an attack against the U.S. (including a worst-case scenario nuclear attack), America would only have minutes to respond. But with the aid of a specially equipped Boeing jet known in the media as the “Doomsday” plane, the U.S. military will be able to quickly respond.
The Doomsday plane, a Navy E-6B that has the frame of a Boeing 707, can operate as a full command and control facility while in the air. The person in charge of executing a response to an attack, head of U.S. Strategic Command John Hyten, can carry out any imminent orders directly from the plane.
In addition to a nuclear strike adviser, a meteorological adviser would also be on board to study weather patterns and figure out if any nuclear or other fallout may be drifting – and then notify anyone in that area to get to safety.
The plane has the ability to be refueled while in the air, allowing it to maintain flight for days at a time. It also can communicate and relay messages to U.S. submarines without ever having to land.
Learn more about the capabilities of America’s ‘Doomsday’ plane.