E-4B Nightwatch upgrade

The US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) has announced that upgrades are being delivered to the E-4B fleet. The center reported that the upgraded communication suite of the Dooms Day aircraft are such designed that they improve communication capabilities and effectiveness.

The first of four US Air Force (USAF) E-4B Nightwatch aircraft recently concluded developmental testing with a new and upgraded communication suite. The aircraft received the Low Frequency Transmit System (LFTS) and Advanced Extremely High Frequency Presidential National Voice Conferencing Integration Program (APIP) modifications. Both systems result in more capabilities and effectiviness of the E-4B. The LFTS modification provides revolutionary single wire low frequency communication capability, while APIP transforms reliability and survivability of the E-4B satellite communication (SATCOM) and national leadership command and control systems.

Work on the other three so-called Doomsday aircraft will be performed in the coming years. The upgrade is only done when the aircraft enters it standard programmed depot maintenance periode and is mainly executed by the Command, Control, Communication, Intelligence, and Networks (C3I&N) Directorate with support of Boeing and Collins Aerospace (LFTS) and Raytheon Technologies (APIP).

The four E-4B-BNs

73-1676 (construction number 20682/202),  73-1677 (20683/204), 74-0787 (20684/232) and 75-0125 (20949/257)

The aircraft are all assigned to the 1st Airborne Command Control Squadron (ACCS) wich is part of the 595th Command and Control Group at Offutt AFB (NB).

Photo by DVIDS/US Air Force by Senior Airman Mary O'Dell (air to air) and by Staff Sgt. Nicole Leidholm (ground)