ST. LOUIS, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Boeing has turned over a refurbished E-4B National Airborne Operations Center to the U.S. Air Force Strategic Command.
The company said in a statement Friday that the aircraft was handed over to the Air Force "after completing programmed depot maintenance -- PDM -- at its modification center in Wichita, Kan."
"With a small fleet of four aircraft, it is critical that we deliver this important national asset on cost and on schedule per the commitments we've made to our customer," said Andy Reheis, Boeing E-4B program manager. "Our employees take great pride in being able to return this asset to the customer so that it can perform its mission, and it shows in their performance."
"Programmed depot maintenance ensures that the aircraft receives the repairs and systems upgrades it needs to operate effectively and meet Federal Aviation Administration safety requirements," Boeing said.
"Boeing Support Systems, a business of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, is responsible for maintaining, modifying and upgrading the E-4B fleet," the company said.
"The National Command Authority uses the E-4B, a modified Boeing 747-200, as a survivable command post for control of U.S. forces in all levels of conflict. In addition to its primary mission, secondary missions include VIP travel support and Federal Emergency Management Agency support, which provides communications to relief efforts following natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes," the company said.
Boeing described its Integrated Defense Systems unit as "one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.4 billion business with 72,000 employees worldwide."
