Lockheed EC-5B "Looking Glass"

[Triton]

Artist's impression of Lockheed EC-5B "Looking Glass" concept late 1980s.

Source:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lockheedmartin/33052291772/

In the late 1980s, the U.S. Air Force studied replacing its fleet of EC-135 Looking Glass airborne command post aircraft. The battle staff on these aircraft would take command of U.S. nuclear forces in the event ground-based command centers had been destroyed. With the C-5B Galaxy transport then in production, Lockheed proposed this version, called an EC-5B, as a replacement. Promotional literature noted the EC-5B “is capable of accommodating all current and future C3 mission electronics, battle staff, support personnel, consumables, rolling stock, maintenance equipment and spares, as well as life support provisions for autonomous operations over a protracted period from small, austere dispersal airfields.” The EC-5B would also be capable of aerial refueling. On 24 July 1990, the Looking Glass fleet ended 29 years of continuous airborne alert—but the aircraft remained on ground or airborne alert 24 hours a day. On 1 October 1998, the Navy's E-6B Mercury replaced the EC-135 in the Looking Glass mission. lockheedmartin.com/codeone

 

[Yellow Palace]

SAC also proposed an Advanced Airborne Command Post based on the C-5A in 1963-1964 - even by then it was apparent that the EC-135 was too small for the job. It seems to have been envisaged as filling the SILK PURSE and BLUE EAGLE missions as well as LOOKING GLASS and NEACP.

Ultimately the expense of the project and the C-5A's problems delayed it until the early 1970s, when the 747 looked like a better bet. The E-4 was the result, though only built in sufficient quantity for the NEACP mission.

http://www.alternatewars.com/WW3/WW3_Documents/US_Misc/S-467_US_C3I_45-72_Pt3.htm