Sierra Nevada to develop £10.5bn 'doomsday plane' successor for US

The United States Air Force has awarded the Sierra Nevada Corporation a contract to develop a successor to the E-4B aircraft, widely known as the "doomsday plane" because of its resilience in a nuclear conflict. The deal is valued at £10.5 billion, as per Reuters.

The forthcoming aircraft is set to replace the Boeing E-4, which took to the skies in the 1970s and is slated for retirement post-2030. Initial design efforts for the new plane will commence as part of the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) project.

"The E-4B was engineered as a mobile command centre, designed to resist nuclear explosions and electromagnetic disturbances, allowing American leaders to command military operations in the event of a crisis," as reported. Additionally, the "doomsday plane" is equipped for mid-air refuelling and features conference rooms and briefings, alongside sophisticated communication tools. The aircraft can accommodate a crew of 112 individuals.

The new design's developmental phase is anticipated to conclude by 2036, with efforts spread across Colorado, Nevada, and Ohio. Reuters disclosed in December of the previous year that the United States Air Force had disqualified Boeing from competing to devise the E-4B Nightwatch's successor.

It's highlighted that there are currently four E-4B aircraft in operation, with one always on full alert.