Thursday, December 04, 2008

E-4

IOC: 1974
Total Production: 4
Total Program's Cost: USD$3.0 billion

E-4B

IOC: 1980
Unitary Cost: USD$223 million

Also Known As
E-4A

Origin
United States of America

Contractor/s
Boeing

Derived from:
Boeing 747-300

Power plant:
CF6-80C2 (4)

Description: The US Air Force E-4 is an airborne operations center for the President and Secretary of Defense derived from Boeing 747-200 airliner. In case of national emergency or destruction of ground control centers, this aircraft provides a highly survivable command, control and communications center to direct US military forces. The E-4 can be refueled in-flight to extend its range and mission endurance.

The E-4 was developed as the replacement for aging EC-135 command post aircraft while providing larger capacity due to its huge airframe. The E-4A was introduced in late 1974 and the B model was delivered to the US Air Force in January 1980. All four existing A models were converted to the B standard by 1985. Currently, it is powered by four 52,500-lb CF6-50E2 engines.

The E-4B has electromagnetic pulse protection, nuclear and thermal effects shielding, an electrical system designed to support advanced electronics, and a wide variety of communications equipment. The communications system links to US strategic and tactical communication satellites constellations. At least one E-4B is always on alert at one of many selected bases throughout the world to support US national authorities in an emergency event.

In December 2005 the US Air Force awarded an industry team led by Boeing a $2 billion contract as Product Support Integrator (PSI) for the E-4 National Airborne Operations Center fleet. The contract was for a five-year period plus one five-year option. The Boeing-led team included L3 Communications, Rockwell Collins, and Greenpoint Technology Inc.

Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 114

Dimensions: Height 19.3 m, Length 71 m, Wingspan 59.7 m

Weights: Max Weight 360 t

Engine/s Performance: Thrust 210,000 lb (95,256 kg)

Performance: Ceiling 9,100 m (29,856 ft), Endurance 12 hours

Other: Number of Engines 4

News
Boeing Delivers Refurbished E-4B to US Air Force

Operators

United States of America / 4

Image Gallery

Notes
(*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)

Last Updated: Saturday, November 22, 2008

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