Sierra Nevada Lands $13B Air Force 'Doomsday Plane' Contract

The Department of the Air Force announced on Friday that it has awarded a $13 billion contract to Sierra Nevada Corp. for the development and production of Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC), which will replace the service's aging E-4B Nightwatch "doomsday planes" used during nuclear war scenarios.

Sierra Nevada is expected to complete its work by July 10, 2036, with an immediate start, thanks to an initial obligation of $59 million in research, development, test and evaluation funds from The Air Force.

This investment marks a significant step towards ensuring national security through advanced airborne operations. An Air Force spokesperson emphasized this point stating: "The development of this critical national security weapon system ensures the department's nuclear command, control, and communications capability is operationally relevant and secure for decades to come."

Currently known as National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC), these E-4B aircraft are designed to provide a reliable platform for the president and other key officials to direct forces amidst devastating emergencies such as nuclear wars or any event leading to ground-based command-and-control centers' destruction. These four operational E-4s have been in service since the 1970s; hence they're nearing their lifecycle end.

With this new contract under Sierra Nevada's helm, they'll be tasked with delivering engineering and manufacturing development aircraft alongside associated ground systems while offering interim contract support. The Pentagon stated that all SAOC-related tasks would take place across several locations including Englewood Colorado; Sparks, Nevada; Beavercreek Ohio; Vandalia Ohio.

In line with modern defense requirements, Sierra Nevada plans on building SAOC using a hardened variant of commercial derivative aircraft modified specifically for this purpose. This approach incorporates modular open systems packed with state-of-the-art secure communication capabilities coupled with efficient planning features.

Moreover, ground support systems developed under SAOC will comprise aircrew trainers along with mission crew training, maintainers, ground support equipment, test and sustainment system integration laboratories among others.

The contract also includes several cost arrangements such as cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed price incentive and cost-plus-fixed-fee components. This move is a part of the Pentagon's broader effort to modernize its aging fleet and enhance its capabilities in response to growing global threats.

With this new development expected within 15 years, it signifies an important milestone for the Air Force's continuous evolution towards adopting next-generation technologies that boost national security while ensuring operational readiness amidst unpredictable emergencies. It further underscores Sierra Nevada Corp.'s deepening involvement in key defense projects aimed at fortifying America's air superiority.

In conclusion, this $13 billion contract marks a significant step forward in maintaining robust nuclear command-and-control systems necessary for handling potential future crises effectively while signaling faith in Sierra Nevada Corp.'s ability to deliver on such critical national security projects.