Rolls-Royce, renowned for its contributions to the aerospace and automotive industries, has secured a contract with the US Air Force. The company will supply advanced technology for a new aircraft engineered to endure nuclear blasts. The aerospace and automobile company will be working alongside defence 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 initiative is critical to the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC). This cutting-edge aircraft represents a significant technological advancement and is slated to replace the current E-4B, commonly known as the “doomsday plane.”
/safari-india/media/media_files/Q7YRegfZ7ybwwQ4tQX34.jpg)
Doomsday Plane and its Features
- It is designed to resist electromagnetic pulses and nuclear explosions.
- The E-4B planes, serving as mobile command centres, can accommodate 111 people.
- The E-4B planes are crucial in times of crisis as they can function as a mobile command centre if ground facilities are destroyed and can be refuelled mid-air.
- They are designed to transport high-ranking government officials such as the US President, military leaders, and the Secretary of Defense.
- With a mobile command centre on board, they can communicate with any US military base worldwide.
/safari-india/media/media_files/zdBwEdsOFVaBR0wHOEXR.jpg)
The aircraft is equipped with a conference room, a command work area, spaces for operations teams, briefing rooms, break rooms, and communication areas in addition to its essential functions.
/safari-india/media/media_files/WVlG2AUHNDJwMsYUIO10.jpg)
The SAOC project, expected to be completed by 2036, will encompass work at multiple sites in Ohio, Colorado, and Nevada. Its objective is to replace the ageing E-4B fleet, which is becoming increasingly challenging to maintain due to the difficulty in finding replacement parts.
Leave a comment