Doomsday Plane

Boeing has been disqualified from the competition to build the Air Force's E-4B Nightwatch "Doomsday" plane replacement, leaving Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) as the sole remaining competitor. The announcement was made in a statement to Breaking Defense by a Boeing spokesperson, who confirmed that the company's bid was no longer under consideration by the Air Force. Reuters first reported Boeing's elimination from the competition.

The Boeing spokesperson stated that the company was approaching all new contract opportunities with added discipline to ensure that they could meet their commitments and support the long-term health of their business. They also expressed confidence that their approach to the E-4B replacement was the most comprehensive, technically mature, and lowest-risk solution for the customer and Boeing.

The spokesperson added that their proposal was based on 60 years of military commercial derivative aircraft knowledge and experience, including the design, development, and sustainment of the E-4B Nightwatch, which currently serves the national security command and control mission.

According to Reuters, Boeing and the Air Force failed to reach an agreement on data rights or contract terms, leading to the company's disqualification. Boeing executives have been reluctant to sign new fixed-price development contracts after the company suffered billions of dollars in losses in recent years. In the third quarter of 2023 alone, Boeing logged nearly $1 billion in charges for its defense division.

The E-4B Nightwatch, also known as the National Airborne Operations Center, is a modified Boeing 747-200B aircraft that serves as a flying command post for the President, Secretary of Defense, and other senior officials in the event of a national emergency. The Air Force has been seeking a replacement for the aging E-4B fleet since 2007.

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is now the only remaining competitor in the competition to build the E-4B replacement. The company has partnered with Embraer Defense & Security to offer a modified version of the Embraer E145 regional jet as the basis for their proposal.

SNC's proposal, known as the NC-170S, would feature a modified fuselage with a raised roofline, allowing for a larger cabin space to accommodate command and control equipment. The aircraft would also be equipped with advanced communications and defensive systems, as well as the ability to refuel mid-air.

SNC has stated that their proposal is the most cost-effective and technically feasible solution for the E-4B replacement program. The company has also emphasized their experience in modifying and upgrading aircraft for military and government use.

The Air Force has not yet announced a timeline for the selection of the E-4B replacement contractor. The program has been delayed several times since its inception, with the latest deadline for proposals set for May 2021.

The E-4B replacement program is just one of several major defense contracts that Boeing has lost recently. The company was also eliminated from the competition to build the Air Force's next-generation T-X trainer aircraft, which was awarded to a team consisting of Boeing's competitor, Saab, and aerospace company, Boeing.

Boeing has also faced significant financial losses due to the grounding of its 737 MAX aircraft following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. The company has spent billions of dollars on compensation for airlines and families of crash victims, as well as on upgrades and safety improvements for the aircraft.

Boeing's defense division has also been struggling in recent years, with the company reporting significant losses due to cost overruns and delays on major defense contracts. The company has been working to streamline its operations and reduce costs, but the impact of these efforts remains to be seen.

Despite these setbacks, Boeing remains one of the largest and most influential aerospace companies in the world. The company has a long history of innovation and technological advancement, and it continues to play a major role in the development of new aircraft and space technologies.