VAFC ACC Aircraft
E-4 Airborne Command Post
VAFC minimun requirements for assignment: MS FS2000 or
FS2000Pro.
Mission
The E-4B serves as the National Airborne Operations Center for the National Command
Authorities. In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command control
centers, the aircraft provides a modern, highly survivable, command, control and
communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders and coordinate
actions by civil authorities.
Features
Air Combat Command (ACC) is the Air Force single-resource manager for the E-4B, and
provides aircrew, maintenance, security and communications support. The Joint Chiefs of
Staff actually control E-4B operations and provide personnel for the airborne operations
center.
The E-4B, a militarized version of the Boeing 747-200, is a four-engine, swept-wing,
long-range, high-altitude airplane capable of being refueled in flight. Its larger size
provides approximately triple the floor space of the earlier EC-135 command post.
The main deck is divided into six functional areas: a National Command Authorities'
work area, conference room, briefing room, an operations team work area, and
communications and rest areas. An E-4B crew may include up to 114 people, including a
joint-service operations team, an ACC flight crew, a maintenance and security component, a
communications team and selected augmentees.
The E-4B has electromagnetic pulse protection, an electrical system designed to support
advanced electronics and a wide variety of new communications equipment. 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. An advanced satellite communications system improves worldwide communications
among strategic and tactical satellite systems and the airborne operations center.
To provide direct support to the National Command Authorities, at least one E-4B is
always on alert at one of many selected bases throughout the world.
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Airborne operations center
Builder: Boeing Aerospace Co.
Power Plant: Four General Electric CF6-50E2 turbofan engines
Thrust: 52,500 pounds each engine
Length: 231 feet, 4 inches (70.5 meters)
Wingspan: 195 feet, 8 inches (59.7 meters)
Height: 63 feet, 5 inches (19.3 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 800,000 pounds (360,000 kilograms)
Endurance: 12 hours (unrefueled)
Ceiling: Above 30,000 feet (9,091 meters)
Unit Cost: $258 million
Crew: Up to 114
Date Deployed: January 1980
Inventory: Active force, 4; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0
