The Air Force’s New “Doomsday Plane” Takes Flight

The U.S. Air Force’s next-generation “doomsday plane” has officially taken to the skies. Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) confirmed that it began flight tests for the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) on August 7, marking a major milestone in the program’s development.

Built on the Boeing 747-8 platform, the SAOC will replace the Air Force’s aging fleet of four E-4B Nightwatch aircraft, which have served for over 50 years. These aircraft act as airborne command-and-control centers, ensuring U.S. leadership can direct forces, coordinate civil authorities, and, if necessary, execute nuclear orders even if ground-based command centers are destroyed.

Building the Ultimate Airborne Command Post

Sierra Nevada received the $13 billion contract to develop the SAOC fleet in 2024, after Boeing withdrew its bid. The program is the largest in SNC’s six-decade history. The company has now received four 747-8s, with each being heavily modified to withstand radiation, electromagnetic pulses, and other threats.

The upgrades go beyond physical hardening. Engineers are installing secure communications, antennas, and mission systems, using a modular open systems approach to make future upgrades easier. GE Aerospace is also overhauling the GEnx-2B engines powering the 747-8s to ensure reliable performance for decades to come.

Testing and Timeline

Flight and ground testing are centered at SNC’s Aviation Innovation and Technology Center in Dayton, Ohio, with additional work taking place in Wichita, Kansas. These early test flights are designed to reduce engineering risks and establish a technical design baseline before full-scale production begins.

SNC expects testing to continue through 2026, with final delivery of the SAOC fleet scheduled for 2036. In the meantime, the company is expanding its Dayton facilities, building additional hangars to handle the complex 747 conversions.

Why It Matters

The SAOC is not just a replacement for the E-4B—it is a significant leap forward in survivability and capability. In an era of renewed great-power competition and growing nuclear threats, the ability to command U.S. forces from the air remains a cornerstone of deterrence. The new E-4C will ensure that capability well into the 21st century.