Aerospace Group:

Air Force

No Need For More Survivable Airborne Operations Centers Than Four Planned, Meink Says

Frank Wolfe

Tuesday, March 17th, 2026

SHARE:

No Need For More Survivable Airborne Operations Centers Than Four Planned, Meink Says

Pictured is a photo of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' briefing slide from a Jan. 22 SAOC hangar industry day at Offutt AFB, Nev.

While the U.S. Air Force is considering an acceleration of the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operation Center (SAOC) by Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) an increased buy of SAOCs beyond the four planned by the service is unlikely, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said on Tuesday. "I don't know that we need more SAOC aircraft than we're planning on right now," Meink said at the McAleese and Associates' annual defense programs conference. "I actually don't think we do." A U.S Army Corps…

Congress

Trump Wants Second Reconciliation Bill On His Desk By June 1

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Congress to pass and send a second reconciliation bill to his desk by June 1. The deadline follows congressional Republicans’ backing a pursuit […]

Space

Upgrading Current GPS Ground System “Now a Viable Option,” As GPS OCX Problems Continue, Space Official Says

Upgrades to the GPS ground system–the Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP)–is an option under consideration by the Defense Department’s space acquisition chief, as problems continue in fielding the GPS Next Generation […]

Congress

Graham Says GOP To Move Ahead On Second Reconciliation Bill, With Defense Funds As Priority

Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Wednesday, with the White House’s backing, his panel will move “expeditiously” on crafting a second reconciliation bill, citing priorities for defense and […]

Pentagon

Hegseth Acknowledges Potential $200 Billion Iran Supplemental Request, Final Figure ‘Could Move’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday acknowledged the Pentagon could potentially ask Congress for $200 billion in supplemental funding to support the ongoing operation against Iran and replenish munitions used […]