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Air Force

Fourth Plane for USAF SAOC Program Arrives at SNC’s Dayton Site

Frank Wolfe

Wednesday, April 30th, 2025

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Fourth Plane for USAF SAOC Program Arrives at SNC’s Dayton Site

Pictured is a a U.S. Air Force E-4B before a training sortie from Offutt AFB, Neb. on May 15 last year (U.S. Air Force Photo)

Nevada's SNC has received the fourth 747-8i at the company's Aviation Innovation and Technology Center (AITC) in Dayton, Ohio for the U.S. Air Force Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) program, SNC said on Wednesday. A year ago, the Air Force awarded SNC an up to $13.1 billion contract for an E-4C SAOC to replace the Boeing [BA] E-4B “Nightwatch” fleet, based on the 747 passenger plane and used as a mobile national command authority in crisis situations, such as “doomsday” events (Defense…

Congress

SASC Cites Concern With Army’s sUAS Approach, Seeks Info On Plans To Scale Fielding

Senate defense authorizers are seeking more info from the Army on its plans for scaling and deploying small drone capabilities citing concern with the service’s current “fragmented and insufficient” approach. […]

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Army

Army Plans To Initiate ISV-Heavy Competition Later This Year, Official Says

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Senate Authorization Bill Restricts Building Navy Warships Overseas With Limited Exception For Auxiliaries

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) version of the FY 2027 defense policy bill looks to cut the ability for the Trump administration to buy foreign-made warships, but still allow […]