Summary

  • GE Aerospace selected to overhaul engines for Doomsday planes
  • Sierra Nevada Corporation to build Doomsday replacement aircraft
  • Doomsday planes are essential for national security in emergencies

One of the many aviation revelations at the Farnborough International Airshow is that GE Aerospace had been selected as a subcontractor on the Doomsday aircraft. In April 2024, it was announced that Sierra Nevada Corporation had won the contract to build the United States Air Force Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC), aka the Doomsday aircraft. Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) won the contract after Boeing bowed out of the project, unwilling to accept another fixed-price contract.

GE Aerospace as major Doomsday sub-contractor

GE Aerospace announced it has been selected to contribute to overhauling and upgrading the GEnx-2B engines that will power the SAOC aircraft. GE stated that it will “support various activities leading up to SAOC aircraft delivery.” It has previously been reported that Rolls-Royce is an important subcontractor on the Doomsday plane project. While Rolls-Royce has particular expertise in advanced jet engines, it is unclear exactly what Rolls-Royce will be contributing to the project.

The E-4B Doomsday plane parked at an airport at sunset.

Photo: US Air Force

“This is a multi-year effort supporting a critical national security asset. The GEnx engine brings proven performance and reliability that will be beneficial to this unique aircraft, and we look forward to being part of this important program.” Amy Gowder, President and CEO of Defense & Systems with GE Aerospace.

SNC is the prime contractor to build replacement aircraft for the Air Force’s aging fleet of E-4B Nightwatch aircraft (at first glance they look similar to the Air Force’s famous ‘Air Force One’ aircraft). The existing fleet of four E-4Bs, built from Boeing 747-200s, is powered by GE Aerospace’s CF6 engines.

“The GEnx engine combines the latest technology like the low-emission twin-annular combustor with advanced materials such as durable, light-weight composite fan case and fan blades.” GE Aerospace

Related

USAF Nightwatch: Is There Always A Boeing E-4B Doomsday Plane Flying?

At least one E-4B Doomsday emergency command and control center is kept prepped and ready to go at all times.

The Air Force’s Doomsday planes

The new generation of Doomsday command aircraft is being built on heavily modified Boeing 747-8 aircraft (it is believed there will be four of them). It is now clear they will be powered by the GEnx engine family (which is also used on Boeing 787 and other Boeing 747-8 aircraft). SNC is known to have purchased five ex-Korean Air Boeing 747-8s for conversion after winning the contract.

“The E-4B “Nightwatch” serves as the National Airborne Operations Center and is a key component of the National Military Command System for the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command and control centers, the aircraft provides a highly survivable command, control and communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders, and coordinate actions by civil authorities.” – US Air Force

E-4B_Nightwatch_(52285283839)

The Doomsday aircraft are intended as emergency flying command centers. They enable the upper echelons of the government (e.g., the President, Secretary of Defense, and Joint Chiefs) to continue coordinating a response even if the country comes under nuclear attack. The 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron operates them at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

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