AviationWeek.com, April 26, 2024 - The U.S. Air Force has awarded Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) a $13 billion contract for its Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC)—a contract that is by far the largest program for the privately held company.
SNC beat out traditional prime contractor Boeing for the program, which will replace the current E-4B Nightwatch fleet. The award is notable as SNC, whose traditional programs have been smaller aircraft modifications, will likely modify Boeing’s own 747-8i aircraft for the fleet.
The cost-plus-incentive fee contract, with a fixed-price-incentive-firm target, includes an initial award of $59 million. It covers the development and production of the SAOC Weapon System, including delivery of engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) aircraft, associated ground systems, production aircraft and interim customer support. Work is expected to be completed by July 2036.
About SNC
SNC is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security. Our innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems, as well as ISR, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum management, and other high capabilities for national security systems across all domains – sea, land, air, space and cyber. As a longstanding leader in defense technology, SNC is at the optimum intersection of commercial, defense and non-traditional contractors. We are one of the only privately owned mid-tier A&D contractors and we pride ourselves on our ability to invest early and often to ensure mission success on or ahead of schedule. It's part of our mission to always stay one step ahead; working on solutions today to solve the problems of tomorrow. Founded in 1963, SNC is owned by Chairwoman Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen.