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Boeing E-4
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E-4
White jet with blue cheatline in-flight over land, flying left. The aircraft features a distinctive bump above the usual 747's trademark nose profile
E-4B in flight
Role Airborne strategic command and control post
Manufacturer Boeing
First flight 13 June 1973
Introduction 1974[1]
Status In service
Primary user United States Air Force
Number built 4
Unit cost
US$223 million (1998 dollars)[1]
Developed from Boeing 747-200
The Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post (AACP), the current "Nightwatch" aircraft,[2] is a strategic command and control military aircraft operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). The E-4 series are specially modified from the Boeing 747-200B for the National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP) program. The E-4 serves as a survivable mobile command post for the National Command Authority, namely the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, and successors. The four E-4Bs are operated by the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron of the 595th Command and Control Group located at Offutt Air Force Base, near Omaha, Nebraska. An E-4B when in action is denoted a "National Airborne Operations Center".[3]