R-R wins 'Doomsday' contract

BTN News
Sunday, 26 May 2024

Jet engine-maker Rolls-Royce has won a contract to build what has been described as a 'Doomsday plane' - a successor to the US Air Force's current four E-4B planes (militarised versions of the Boeing 747-200) - in the force's Survivable Airborne Operations Center project (SAOC).


The E-4Bs normally are used by the US secretary of Defense, though they can also be used to function as a mobile command centre in the event of a national emergency.

Each E-4B is configured with 111 seats and can carry important figures including the US president, the secretary of Defense and the joint military chiefs.

The new plane will be able to survive a nuclear blast and be refuelled mid-air to avoid unnecessary stops in potentially dangerous locations.

Rolls-Royce's involvement came after the US administration awarded a US$13 billion contract to defence firm Sierra Nevada Corporation to develop a new-generation of E-4B planes.

Adam Riddle, president of defence at Rolls-Royce said: “For decades, Rolls-Royce has powered military operations around the world with reliable, cutting-edge technologies – safely transporting service members on their missions" and now we will "ensure our military leaders have the platform to protect our national security when it matters most”.

The contract is expected to run until July 2036.

R-R wins 'Doomsday' contract

BTN News
Sunday, 26 May 2024

Jet engine-maker Rolls-Royce has won a contract to build what has been described as a 'Doomsday plane' - a successor to the US Air Force's current four E-4B planes (militarised versions of the Boeing 747-200) - in the force's Survivable Airborne Operations Center project (SAOC).


The E-4Bs normally are used by the US secretary of Defense, though they can also be used to function as a mobile command centre in the event of a national emergency.

Each E-4B is configured with 111 seats and can carry important figures including the US president, the secretary of Defense and the joint military chiefs.

The new plane will be able to survive a nuclear blast and be refuelled mid-air to avoid unnecessary stops in potentially dangerous locations.

Rolls-Royce's involvement came after the US administration awarded a US$13 billion contract to defence firm Sierra Nevada Corporation to develop a new-generation of E-4B planes.

Adam Riddle, president of defence at Rolls-Royce said: “For decades, Rolls-Royce has powered military operations around the world with reliable, cutting-edge technologies – safely transporting service members on their missions" and now we will "ensure our military leaders have the platform to protect our national security when it matters most”.

The contract is expected to run until July 2036.