(Reuters) -The U.S. Air Force said on Friday it has awarded a $13 billion contract to Sierra Nevada Corp to develop a successor to the E-4B, known as the Doomsday plane for its ability to stop a nuclear war to survive.
The Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) project aims to replace the aging 1970s aircraft, which is nearing the end of its service life, an Air Force spokesperson said in a statement.
Work on the SAOC will be conducted in Colorado, Nevada and Ohio and is expected to be completed in 2036, the Air Force added.
To meet operational requirements, the weapon system will consist of a commercially derived jet aircraft hardened and modified to meet military requirements.
Reuters reported in December that the US Air Force has eliminated Boeing (NYSE:) from the competition to develop a successor to the E-4B Nightwatch.
Although typically used to transport the U.S. Secretary of Defense, the E-4B is designed as a mobile command post that can withstand nuclear explosions and electromagnetic effects, allowing U.S. leaders to issue orders to the military in the event of a national emergency.
The E-4B can also refuel in mid-air and has conference and briefing rooms and advanced communications equipment.
The Air Force currently operates four E-4B aircraft, of which at least one is always on standby. The fleet of heavily modified Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets has become increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain as parts become obsolete.
The E-4B is expected to reach end of life in early 2030.
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