The U.S. Air Force accounted for $13 billion. dollars (over 12 billion euros) production contract with Sierra Nevada Corp, which envisages the creation of a “Doomsday” aircraft capable of operating in conditions of nuclear war, writes Reuters.
This aircraft will aim to replace the first model of its type, the E-4B. The Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) project will replace Cold War-era aircraft whose “expiration” is coming to an end.
The SAOC project was launched back in 2019, and the new planes are expected to reach the US Air Force in the early to mid-next decade.
It is planned that a commercial jet model will be selected, with a specially reinforced body and modifications to meet the military’s requirements for this type of aircraft.
Control center in the air: even if there was nothing left on Earth, they would be able to perform the functions of government
The “Doomsday” plane is formally designated to carry the US Secretary of Defense. However, it is designed to perform the work of a mobile control center, able to withstand nuclear explosions on the ground, electromagnetic effects. This would allow the country’s leadership to transmit orders in the event of an emergency on the ground.
The E-4B can also refuel while in the air, has weapons control systems, modern communication equipment, meeting and conference rooms.
Currently, the US Air Force has four such aircraft, and at least one of them is permanently ready for flight.
