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The US "Doomsday Plane" has been spotted flying over the English Channel, as tensions continue to rise with Russia.
At the height of the Cold War, when nuclear exchanges seemed like a plausible scenario, both the US and the Soviet Union commissioned Doomsday planes. They are designed to function as flying war rooms, from which the superpowers' leaders could issue commands should a nuclear conflict ensue.
The planes are theoretically capable of surviving a nuclear attack, plus the effects of electromagnetic pulse, while keeping the leaders in touch with other world leaders through satellite communication.
The US's National Airborne Operations Center, seen last night as reported by the Mirror, was a converted Boeing 747 E-4B plane codenamed Nightwatch, boasting an array of defensive features.
"The E-4B is protected against the effects of electromagnetic pulse and has an electrical system designed to support advanced electronics and a wide variety of communications equipment," the US Air Force writes on their website.
"An advanced satellite communications system provides worldwide communication for senior leaders through the airborne operations center. 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."
The planes are capable of being refueled in the air, only needing to descend to lubricate the engine about once a week.
The plane was spotted doing exercises over Nebraska earlier this month, but this time Nightwatch is joining the President during his visit to Europe for talks about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Mirror reports. Biden was not on board the plane but took Air Force One, an aircraft designed more for comfort than for surviving a nuclear war.
