Sierra Nevada Corp Prepares to Upgrade U.S. Air Force's 'Doomsday' Plane Under $13 Billion Contract

Neva: Sierra Neva Corp. (SNC) is gearing up to receive its first commercial passenger jet to be converted into U.S. Air Force’s new “doomsday” planes, marking a significant milestone for defence contractor. Bry Hauboldt, SNC’s vice president of business development, revealed on May 29 that first of five Boeing 747-8 aircraft, set to become Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC), will arrive at ir Dayton, Ohio facility this summer.  

SAOC is slated to replace ageing E-4B Nightwatch aircraft, which have served since 1970s. se new planes will ensure continuation of military command and control in event of a nuclear war or or catastrophic scenarios. U.S. Air Force, which currently operates four E-4Bs, awarded SNC a $13 billion contract in April to develop SAOC, aiming for a complete transition by July 2036. This contract is largest in SNC’s history and is expected to pave way for more significant opportunities in future.  

ditional hangars and support facilities  

SNC has been focusing on substantial growth, investing heavily in digital engineering tools, new infrastructure, and facilities. Aviation Innovation and Technology Center in Dayton, Ohio, which includes large hangars for modifying 747s into SAOCs, is a testament to this effort. first hangar opened a year and a half ago, with second expected to be completed this summer. ditional hangars and support facilities will follow.

Developmental engineering for SAOC will primarily take place at SNC’s Denver, Coloro facility, with or offices being established in locations like Dallas, Texas. This expansion allows SNC to tap into a wider hiring pool, expecting to d about 1,000 workers to program. Hauboldt emphasized that se investments have positioned SNC to handle a project of SAOC's magnitude.  

Extensive structural modifications  

SNC plans to purchase five Boeing 747-8 planes from Korean Air for SAOC project, with last delivery scheduled for September 2025. se aircraft, delivered in 2015, are in excellent condition. SNC will use a fully digital process for SAOC design, with Air Force owning digital models. This open-system architecture will facilitate future upgres.  

transformation of 747s will involve extensive structural modifications, including installation of communication antennas, mission systems, and riation shielding. Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works will be subcontracted for riation hardening work, leveraging ir expertise in integrating vanced capabilities on airframes. planes will retain ir General Electric GEnx-2B engines, with Rolls-Royce providing auxiliary power systems. Collins Aerospace will also contribute to building SAOC, drawing on its leership in nuclear command, control, and communications systems.  

SAOC will benefit from modern, user-friendly technologies and an open-architecture structure, dressing Air Force’s focus on reducing life-cycle costs. high maintenance cost of E-4B prompted SNC to offer a robust data rights package, facilitating cost-effective sustainment and modification of aircraft. This approach could potentially allow or companies to compete for program’s sustainment contract, but SNC is confident in its ability to maintain job efficiently.   

Hauboldt highlighted long-term benefits of obtaining data rights for SAOC, ensuring cost-efficiency for U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense. SNC’s willingness to meet Air Force’s requirements for data rights is expected to yield significant dividends for deces to come.