USA tests more modern "Doomsday" aircraft Boeing E4-C

In August, defense contractor Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) began conducting the first test flights with the successor to the flying US command center E4-B in nuclear conflicts. The company announced this on Wednesday. The current "Doomsday" Boeing E4-B Nightwatch aircraft is based on the Boeing 747-200 passenger jet. It is intended to ensure military command and control and the use of nuclear weapons from theoretically anywhere in the world in the event of a nuclear war. This is provided ground-based command structures have already been destroyed. The U.S. Air Force's current fleet of four of these aircraft dates back to the 1970s and can no longer be kept up to date despite continuous modernization measures.

The Boeing E4-B is to be replaced by the E4-C. The new "Doomsday" aircraft will be based on a Boeing 747-8, an extended version of a conventional passenger jet manufactured by Boeing until 2023. However, Boeing itself is not carrying out the security-sensitive conversion in accordance with the military specifications requested by the Pentagon. The aviation company dropped out of the US Department of Defense's tender process in 2024 due to disagreements with the Air Force. This meant that only SNC remained in the process and was awarded the 13 billion US dollar contract. The Pentagon is not revealing how many aircraft are to be converted. It is likely that the fleet size will continue to be limited to four "Doomsday" aircraft.

SNC has already secured four 747-8 passenger jets. In addition, there are five used aircraft from Korean Air, which SNC intends to use to modify their airframes and use them as spare parts suppliers. The E-4Cs will all be fitted with new engines from GE Aerospace. The GEnx-2B engines from GE Aerospace are said to be more powerful and reliable than the standard engines installed.

First test flights

The first test flights with an E-4C took place on August 7. SNC does not provide more detailed information on the procedures. The tests are initially intended to show how technical risks can be minimized. In addition, modifications are to be validated to establish a safe technical basis.

Further flight tests are to be carried out by 2026. There will also be tests on the ground. These will take place at the sites in Dayton in the US state of Ohio and in Wichita in Kansas. If the modifications and tests are successful, the final production of the aircraft will take place. The plan is for all new "Doomsday" aircraft to be delivered by 2036.

The replacement of the E4-B fleet with the E4-C is necessary to be able to integrate them into the US nuclear defence network (NC3), which is also being modernized. This includes modern communication systems, satellites, ground facilities, submarines, bombers and airborne command posts.

In addition to the more modern design of the E4-C, the aircraft has other advantages: It has a longer range and can carry more payload, meaning it offers more space for personnel, equipment and more powerful communication systems.

(olb)