A new Doomsday Plane and remembering the X-51
A new Doomsday Plane and remembering the X-51
The E-4B Nightwatch is getting a replacement and remembering the X-plane that was faster than a bullet.
“However absorbed a commander may be in the elaboration of his own thoughts, it is necessary sometimes to take the enemy into consideration.”
-Winston Churchill
Mission Briefing
It’s a scenario many of us don’t want to think about - but for some that is their job. In the event of a nuclear war, specialized command and control aircraft like the E-4B are meant to serve as a survivable and mobile command post. The E-4B is a highly modified Boeing 747-200 and entered service all the way back in 1974 - there’s a lot of time on those airframes. In a major development, the U.S. Air Force has awarded a $13 billion contract for the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) to Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC). This is by far the largest contract ever for the privately held company, which beat out aerospace giant Boeing for the program.
Replacing the Aging E-4B Fleet
The SAOC will replace the aging E-4B Nightwatch fleet, providing a modernized airborne command center for the military's nuclear command, control and communications. Notably, SNC will likely modify Boeing's own 747-8i aircraft for the SAOC fleet, a departure from SNC's traditional focus on smaller aircraft modifications.
The cost-plus contract covers development and production of the SAOC, including engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) aircraft, ground systems, production aircraft, and interim support through 2036. The Air Force emphasized that SAOC is critical to ensure nuclear command and control capabilities.
SNC's Competitive Edge
As a midsize, privately held company, SNC believes it has the "speed and agility" to remain competitive against the big primes. The company has made significant investments, including building a new 90,000 sq. ft. MRO hangar in anticipation of the SAOC contract and potential work on the Navy's E/A-XX program.
"We are small enough to be agile, but large enough to succeed with a highly skilled, motivated workforce," SNC stated.
Concerns Over Rising Costs
However, Air Force officials have raised concerns about SAOC costs increasing to the point of putting pressure on the overall Air Force budget. The FY2025 budget request includes $1.69 billion for SAOC R&D, with $9 billion planned over the next five years.
Assistant Secretary Andrew Hunter acknowledged that current cost expectations are "meaningfully different" from initial assumptions, with some program costs not originally accounted for. But the Air Force has not yet conducted the Milestone B process to fully baseline the program's cost.
The SAOC contract is a major win for SNC and highlights the growing opportunities for midsize contractors in the defense industry. But it also underscores the challenges in managing costs on these complex, high-stakes programs. We'll continue to monitor the SAOC's progress in the years ahead.
This groundbreaking contract marks a significant milestone for SNC and highlights the company's unique approach to aircraft modifications and sustainment. As the SAOC program progresses, it will play a vital role in strengthening the U.S. Air Force's capabilities and readiness.
This week in aviation history
30 April 1962: NASA's Chief Research Test Pilot, Joseph Albert Walker, made history by flying the North American Aviation X-15 hypersonic research aircraft on its twenty-seventh flight. The purpose of this test flight, which was part of the NASA X-15 Hypersonic Research Program, was to explore aerodynamic heating and stability at extremely high altitudes.
The X-15, designated as 56-6670, was released from the NB-52B drop ship, "Balls 8," at an altitude of approximately 45,000 feet (13,716 meters) over Mud Lake, Nevada. Walker ignited the Reaction Motors XLR99-RM-1 rocket engine at 10:23:20.0 a.m., Pacific Daylight Savings Time. The engine burn lasted 81.6 seconds, slightly longer than the planned 81.0 seconds.
Despite the longer burn time, the X-15 fell short of its planned speed of Mach 5.35 and peak altitude of 255,000 feet (77,724 meters). Walker achieved a maximum speed of Mach 4.94 and reached an altitude of 246,700 feet (75,194 meters) before safely landing on Rogers Dry Lake. The total duration of Flight 52 was 9 minutes and 46.2 seconds.
Although the X-15 did not reach its expected peak altitude, Joe Walker's flight still set a new Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Record for Altitude Gain, Aeroplane Launched from a Carrier Aircraft, reaching an impressive 61,493 meters (201,749 feet). This achievement marked a significant milestone in the history of aviation and contributed to the advancement of hypersonic flight research.
Incredibly, the X-15 would go on to fly higher and faster. Walker himself would set the altitude record of over 354,000 feet, and the X-15 would reach a speed record of over 4,500 mph. The X-15 program was piloted by 12 brave men, including Neil Armstrong.
In case you missed it
If you’d like to learn more about the X-15, here’s a longform video I did on the program:
Photo Outlet
I call this Skyraider and Thunderbird:
A Fair Warning for your Friends and Family
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Post Flight Debrief
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading! If you know a fellow aviation enthusiast that would enjoy these weekly newsletters, then please forward this along. If you’d like to directly support my efforts, check out my shop:
Now you know!
-Tog