April 29, 2024 (EIRNS)—The U.S. Air Force announced on April 26 the awarding of a $13 billion contract to the Sierra Nevada Corporation for the development and production of the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC), an aircraft to provide the President with a survivable command post in the event of a nuclear war. The SAOC will replace the current fleet of four E-4B “Nightwatch” aircraft, based on the Boeing 747-200, which have been flying since the mid-1970’s and are approaching the end of their service lives.