Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), an American company, has purchased five Boeing 747 jets that were formerly operated by Korean Air. These aircraft were previously used as standard passenger planes for civilian travel but will now undergo conversion for specialized military purposes. The acquisition of these jets aligns with SNC’s recent contract award from the U.S. Air Force, valued at $13 billion, to develop a next-generation replacement for the E-4B Nightwatch, also known as the ‘Doomsday Plane.’
The E-4B Nightwatch is a highly specialized aircraft that serves as the U.S. Air Force’s airborne military command center. It is designed to withstand the effects of nuclear warfare and provide a secure platform for communications in emergency situations. The five Boeing 747s, which have an estimated value of $674 million, have been grounded for most of the past five years due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global air travel.
According to a report by Reuters, SNC is expected to receive the acquired aircraft by the third quarter of 2025. The company’s spokesperson confirmed the acquisition but declined to provide further details. The U.S. Air Force awarded SNC the contract to develop the Survivable Airborne Operations Center on April 26. The project is expected to be completed by 2036, as stated by the Defense Department. The new aircraft will be based on a commercial derivative aircraft and modified to meet military requirements, ensuring operational relevance and security for the U.S. Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications capability in the years to come.
