Matthew Nelson
The U.S. Air Force is working with Boeing, Raytheon Technologies and the latter company’s Collins Aerospace business in efforts to modernize communication systems of the E-4B strategic command and control aircraft platform.
One of the service branch’s four E-4B airplanes has received modifications to its Low-Frequency Transmit System and Advanced Extremely High Frequency Presidential National Voice Conferencing Integration Program, the Air Force said Thursday.
Boeing collaborates with Collins Aerospace on LFTS installation work, while Raytheon leads the integration of updated APIP into the military aircraft.
“These modifications are game changing,†said Lt. Col. Ben Chown, E-4B materiel leader for USAF’s Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate.
Chown added the LFTS modification is intended to facilitate single-wire low-frequency communications and the updated APIP supports satellite communications and national leadership C2 operations.
The E-4B, dubbed as “Doomsday†aircraft, serves the U.S. president and top defense leaders in the event of a national emergency.
