• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Spotting this plane in the sky could mean you only have five minutes left to live

Home> News> US News

Published 15:55 3 Dec 2024 GMT

Spotting this plane in the sky could mean you only have five minutes left to live

If you see this plane flying above you, it might be a sign of impending doom

Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair

There is a plane that could signal impending doom if you spot it in the sky.

Luckily for us, there hasn't been a need for these aircrafts to be used, but the US have four of these ready, in case the worst of the worst happens.

So, one day in the near future, if you see one of these zooming above your head, you might want to run - or don't, and you'll be wiped out within a few minutes anyway.

Advert

But by what, exactly?

Looks very intimidating, doesn't it? (Jacquelyn Martin-Pool/Getty Images)
Looks very intimidating, doesn't it? (Jacquelyn Martin-Pool/Getty Images)

Basically, the US have a plan of action in case they find they find themselves in the midst of a nuclear war, which at times has been something that has come too close for comfort.

Now that Donald Trump has been given the 'nuclear football', a lot of people will be attentively watching with baited breath.

In case it does become a reality, they would need to get off the ground and establish a command and control centre, clear of any potential attack targets in a matter of minutes.

Advert

They have called it the National Airborne Operations Centre (NAOC), and they have prepared four E-4Bs, which when translated from tech-speak, are modified Boeing 747-200s that can be used for the military's doomsday needs and communications.

They aren't cheap to run, setting the military back $159,529 (£126,000) per hour to operate, as the Air Force's most expensive plane.

They will be used to carry and protect the nation's most senior military officials and key figures such as the President, who will be in charge during a nuclear crisis, or similar levels of emergency.

Meant to be ready at any given time, one of the planes has its engines operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ready to takeoff when needed.

Advert

Featuring advanced thermal and nuclear shielding, those inside will be protected from the impact of a nuclear blast.

On top of this, the Boeing doomsday plane can fly non-stop for an entire week once airborne, due to its refuelling capabilities, while being loaded with protective measures to stop missile attacks.

The E-4B is also used for transporting officials overseas (Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The E-4B is also used for transporting officials overseas (Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

If you step onboard, you'll see a mobile command centre with 'advanced radar and surveillance technology', which can keep track of any potential threats in real time, boasting some of the highest levels of tech in the world.

These four aircraft are based at an Air Force Base that also happens to be home to the US Strategic Command, south of Omaha, Nebraska.

Advert

Seeing it in the sky shouldn't necessarily cause a straight panic though, as the planes are also used to transport officials overseas for events and meetings.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Photo / USAF/Getty Images

Topics: US News, World News, Technology, Donald Trump

Joshua Nair
Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair is a journalist at LADbible. Born in Malaysia and raised in Dubai, he has always been interested in writing about a range of subjects, from sports to trending pop culture news. After graduating from Oxford Brookes University with a BA in Media, Journalism and Publishing, he got a job freelance writing for SPORTbible while working in marketing before landing a full-time role at LADbible. Unfortunately, he's unhealthily obsessed with Manchester United, which takes its toll on his mental and physical health. Daily.

X

@joshnair10

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • 4 hours ago

    World's 'first flying car' is going on sale much sooner than you think

    Flying cars are still something for the future, but apparently the rapidly approaching future

    News
  • 5 hours ago

    Experts issued warning over certain tattoo colour that could increase risk of deadly disease

    There can be some long-term health risks to going under the tattoo needle

    News
  • 5 hours ago

    Man who didn't sleep for a record 264 hours suffered from horrendous and potentially deadly side effects

    He smashed the record but suffered dangerous side effects in the process

    News
  • 5 hours ago

    The targets Iran could strike as it issues chilling threat to UK amid ongoing conflict

    The world isn't feeling particularly safe right now

    News
  • Inside plane that if spotted could mean you have only five minutes left to live
  • Vladimir Putin has special 'Flying Kremlin' plane and spotting it in sky could mean you only have minutes to live
  • Donald Trump 'considering adding another 36 countries' to travel ban list
  • Why Donald Trump has implemented travel ban as president 'considers adding another 36 countries' to list