Rolls-Royce announced this week that it has successfully secured a contract to provide technology for the next-generation version of the US Air Force’s nuclear-blast resistant aircraft.
The aerospace and automobile company will be working alongside defense giant Sierra Nevada Corporation, which was awarded a $13 billion contract by the Pentagon in April to develop the next generation of the doomsday planes.
This aircraft will be the new iteration of the E-4B planes, known as the ‘doomsday plane’, due to its ability to resist electromagnetic pulses and nuclear blasts.
This will form part of the Survivable Airborne Operations Centre (SAOC) project, which several aerospace companies, led by Sierra Nevada Corporation, are working on.
In times of crisis, the E-4B planes can prove to be invaluable, capable of housing a mobile command centre, to seamlessly take over from destroyed ground facilities. Unusually, the aircraft also has the capability to be refuelled mid-air.
The planes, which can seat approximately 111 people, would be used to transport key government figures such as the US President, the joint military chiefs and the secretary of defence.
The onboard mobile command centre enables the aircraft to communicate with any US military base worldwide.
The plane also houses a conference room, a command work area, space for an operations team, a briefing room, break rooms and communication spaces.
Currently, there are four of these aircraft in operation. Given their crucial role in emergencies, at least one is always on standby at a specific US military base worldwide.
This project has been initiated due to the ageing fleet of existing E-4B planes, which are becoming increasingly challenging to maintain as parts become harder to source.
Rolls Royce’s senior executive Adam Riddle stated in a press release: “For decades, Rolls-Royce has powered military operations around the world with reliable, cutting-edge technologies- safely transporting service members on their missions.
“Now we are proud to pair our proven pedigree with the collective expertise of SNC and the rest of the SAOC team to ensure our military leaders have the platform to protect our national security when it matters most.”
Sierra Neveda Corporation’s senior executive Jon Piatt also expressed his excitement in the press release: “SNC is very excited to collaborate with Rolls-Royce putting its vast experience to work on this crucial Air Force mission. We are certain that Rolls-Royce will prove a valuable partner in maintaining a strategic edge to protect the country when it matters most.”