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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

CENTCOM Looking To Lessons Learned From Use Of LUCAS Drones

U.S Central Command (CENTCOM) is looking to lessons learned from its use of Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones by Phoenix-based SpektreWorks, according to CENTCOM head Adm. Brad Cooper. […]

Army

Hegseth Says DoD Open To Reviewing Army’s Planned Cuts To Legacy Helicopter Procurement

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told lawmakers the Pentagon is open to reviewing the Army’s planned procurement cuts to its legacy manned aviation fleet. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), ranking member […]

Congress

Appropriators Press For Details On Iran War Costs; DoD’s $29B Estimate Doesn’t Include Base Damage

The Pentagon estimates the U.S.’ ongoing conflict with Iran has now cost at least $29 billion, while a lead official noted the updated figure does not factor in damage to […]

Congress

Appropriators Offer Skepticism On $350B Defense Reconciliation Plan, ‘Big Risk’ For Key Initiatives

Senate and House Appropriators told Pentagon leadership on Tuesday they’re skeptical of the department’s plan to fund $350 billion of the fiscal year 2027 defense budget through the reconciliation process, […]