Sierra Nevada Begins Tests of New 747-8 “Doomsday Plane”

Sierra Nevada Corporation has entered the flight-test phase of the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation replacement for the current E-4 “doomsday plane,” officially known as the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC). This highly modified aircraft is designed to function as an airborne command center capable of directing U.S. military operations during nuclear crises or other catastrophic events.

The program involves converting five Boeing 747-8 airframes into hardened command posts equipped to withstand radiation, electromagnetic pulses and other extreme conditions that could disable conventional aircraft. These survivability upgrades will enable senior government and military leaders to maintain secure communications and command-and-control functions even in the most severe scenarios.

Flight testing began this year at facilities in Ohio and Kansas and is expected to continue through 2026 as Sierra Nevada validates the aircraft’s systems and structural modifications. The testing phase will evaluate everything from communications resilience and power generation to the performance of hardened shielding and mission-critical equipment.

The SAOC is intended to replace the aging fleet of Boeing E-4B Nightwatch aircraft, which have served as the nation’s airborne command posts since the 1970s. By using the larger and more efficient 747-8 platform, the Air Force aims to gain increased range, payload capacity and modern systems integration.

The Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post (AACP)—known as the “Nightwatch” aircraft—is a fleet of strategic command-and-control planes operated by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). The E-4B Nightwatch serves as an airborne command, control, and communications (C3) center for the U.S. National Command Authority during national emergencies. Based on a heavily modified Boeing 747-200B, the aircraft is hardened against electromagnetic pulses (EMP) and nuclear effects and functions as the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) for top U.S. leaders. One of the four E-4B aircraft remains on 24/7 alert, ready to direct U.S. military forces—including nuclear forces—and can stay aloft for extended periods with aerial refueling.

Defense analysts say the start of flight testing marks a significant milestone for a program central to U.S. strategic command-and-control continuity. Once operational, the new “doomsday planes” will ensure uninterrupted leadership and decision-making capabilities during national emergencies well into the coming decades.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com