Command & Control

Latest in Command & Control

The Ohio class nuclear ballistic missile submarine USS Tennessee, the Ticonderoga class cruiser USS Normandy, an E-6B Mercury 'doomsday plane,' and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft recently took part in an unusual show of force in the Norwegian Sea.

U.S. Ballistic Missile Submarine, ‘Doomsday Plane’ Take Part In Rare Show Of Force Off Norway U.S. Ballistic Missile Submarine, ‘Doomsday Plane’ Take Part In Rare Show Of Force Off Norway

By Joseph Trevithick

Jun 25 1:57 PM EDT

Everything We Learned About The Next Doomsday Planes For The Air Force

Everything We Learned About The Next Doomsday Planes For The Air Force Everything We Learned About The Next Doomsday Planes For The Air Force

By Joseph Trevithick

May 23 12:49 PM EDT

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), which won the contract to build the U.S. Air Force’s highly specialized Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) aircraft last month, has acquired five Boeing 747-8s from Korean Air. The likelihood is that these will be converted as the successors to the Air Force’s aging 747-200-based E-4B Nightwatch ‘doomsday planes,’ although at this stage we still don’t know how many of the new SAOC aircraft will be fielded.

Former Korean Air 747s Slated To Become USAF Doomsday Planes (Updated) Former Korean Air 747s Slated To Become USAF Doomsday Planes (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

May 9 2:21 PM EDT

SAOC will replace the E-4B, now we have a better idea of what it will look like.

E-4B Doomsday Plane Replacement Concept Art Has Some Interesting Features E-4B Doomsday Plane Replacement Concept Art Has Some Interesting Features

By Tyler Rogoway

Apr 29 4:20 PM EDT

SNC has won the competition to deliver new Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) 'doomsday planes' to succeed the Air Force's E-4B Nightwatch jets.

Job Of Building The Air Force’s Next Doomsday Planes Falls To Sierra Nevada Corp. (Updated) Job Of Building The Air Force’s Next Doomsday Planes Falls To Sierra Nevada Corp. (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Apr 27 9:30 PM EDT

An Navy E-6B Mercury 'doomsday' plane was recently spotted with what appeared to be heavily-weathered exterior paintwork.

E-6B ‘Doomsday Plane’ Looks Like It’s Been Through Armageddon E-6B ‘Doomsday Plane’ Looks Like It’s Been Through Armageddon

By Joseph Trevithick

Jan 26 1:02 PM EST

There are several reviews underway about the notification process surrounding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization and transfer of authority.

Glaring Questions Remain Over Defense Secretary Austin’s Transfer Of Authority Glaring Questions Remain Over Defense Secretary Austin’s Transfer Of Authority

By Howard Altman

Jan 12 3:19 PM EST

Boeing Exits Air Force’s ‘Doomsday Plane’ Competition (Updated)

Boeing Exits Air Force’s ‘Doomsday Plane’ Competition (Updated) Boeing Exits Air Force’s ‘Doomsday Plane’ Competition (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Dec 5 1:43 PM EST

North American Airspace Defense Getting Cloud-Based Backbone Next Month North American Airspace Defense Getting Cloud-Based Backbone Next Month

By Hope Hodge Seck

Sep 15 2:40 PM EDT

This ICBM-Launched Satellite Could Transmit Nuclear Codes When Nothing Else Was Left To This ICBM-Launched Satellite Could Transmit Nuclear Codes When Nothing Else Was Left To

By Oliver Parken, Joseph Trevithick

Aug 29 4:27 PM EDT

Moment E-6B ‘Doomsday Plane’ Crew Ordered ICBM Launch Seen In Image (Updated)

Moment E-6B ‘Doomsday Plane’ Crew Ordered ICBM Launch Seen In Image (Updated) Moment E-6B ‘Doomsday Plane’ Crew Ordered ICBM Launch Seen In Image (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Apr 24 2:44 PM EDT

Navy Drops Air Force’s Mission From Its Next ‘Doomsday Plane’

Navy Drops Air Force’s Mission From Its Next ‘Doomsday Plane’ Navy Drops Air Force’s Mission From Its Next ‘Doomsday Plane’

By Thomas Newdick

Apr 4 1:33 PM EDT

RAF E-3 sentry being converted into Navy E-6 mercury

Navy Turning British Surplus E-3 Sentry Into E-6B Doomsday Plane Trainer Navy Turning British Surplus E-3 Sentry Into E-6B Doomsday Plane Trainer

By Thomas Newdick

Oct 5 2:38 PM EDT

EC135 Looking Glass revolver

Why An Officer On EC-135C Doomsday Planes Packed A Revolver Why An Officer On EC-135C Doomsday Planes Packed A Revolver

By Tyler Rogoway

Sep 1 5:24 PM EDT

E-4B ‘Doomsday Plane’ Dwarfs A KC-46 In These Stunning Refueling Shots

E-4B ‘Doomsday Plane’ Dwarfs A KC-46 In These Stunning Refueling Shots E-4B ‘Doomsday Plane’ Dwarfs A KC-46 In These Stunning Refueling Shots

By Emma Helfrich, Tyler Rogoway

Apr 29 7:14 PM EDT

E-4B “Doomsday Plane” Just Made A Highly Unusual Visit To Secretive Tonopah Test Range Airport (Updated)

E-4B “Doomsday Plane” Just Made A Highly Unusual Visit To Secretive Tonopah Test Range Airport (Updated) E-4B “Doomsday Plane” Just Made A Highly Unusual Visit To Secretive Tonopah Test Range Airport (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick and Tyler Rogoway

Jul 25 2:52 PM EDT