Reuters

US Air Force awards $13 billion Doomsday plane contract to Sierra Nevada

The U.S. Air Force awarded a $13 billion contract to Sierra Nevada Corp to develop a replacement for the aging E-4B, also known as the "Doomsday plane" due to its ability to operate during a nuclear war. The Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) project aims to replace the aging 1970s-era aircraft, which is nearing the end of its service life. The project will be carried out in Colorado, Nevada, and Ohio and is expected to be completed by 2036. The SAOC will consist of a commercial jet modified to meet military requirements for a mobile command post capable of withstanding nuclear blasts and electromagnetic effects. The E-4B is designed to transport the U.S. secretary of defense and deliver orders to the military during a national emergency. It features advanced communications equipment, refuels mid-air, and includes conference and briefing rooms. Currently, the Air Force operates four E-4B aircraft, with one on alert at all times.