Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has acquired five Boeing 747 aircraft from Korean Air, with plans to convert these jets for specialized military use as part of a major US Air Force project. The planes, which have been inactive for part of the last five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are slated for transformation into a new generation of the E-4B Nightwatch, known colloquially as “Doomsday” planes. These aircraft are integral to the United States’ national security as airborne command centers capable of withstanding nuclear war.
The $13 billion contract awarded to SNC by the US Air Force aims to replace the current fleet of E-4 Nightwatch aircraft by 2036. The modernized planes will serve as advanced airborne military command posts, ensuring the US maintains a robust nuclear command, control, and communications capability. The incoming jets, valued at approximately $674 million, are expected to be delivered to SNC by the third quarter of 2025.
According to Ann Stefanek, an Air Force spokesperson, the development of these aircraft is crucial for maintaining a secure and operationally relevant national defense system for decades to come. The modifications will include hardening and adapting commercial derivative aircraft to meet stringent military requirements, reinforcing America’s ability to effectively manage national emergencies from the sky.
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