The aircraft’s arrival comes just days before the one-year anniversary of SNC being awarded the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) contract. Under this contract, SNC is responsible for delivering a modern replacement for the E-4B fleet, known as the E-4C aircraft, which serves as a critical airborne command center for the President and national security leaders during emergencies.
“For the past year, SNC has been committed to excellence and innovation in our execution of SAOC, and the arrival of the fourth SAOC aircraft to SNC’s AITC marks a significant milestone in our journey,” said Jon Piatt, Executive Vice President of SNC’s IAS business area. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team, and it underscores our unwavering commitment to advancing key national security needs.”
Since being awarded the SAOC contract, SNC has achieved several notable accomplishments. Just six weeks after the contract award, the first 747-8i arrived at the AITC. By October 2024, SNC had opened a second state-of-the-art hangar and begun construction on two additional hangars to support current and future projects, demonstrating early investment in capacity expansion.
Progress continued with the arrival of the second SAOC aircraft at the AITC, followed by the first aircraft being ferried to Wichita State University’s National Institute of Aviation Research (NIAR) in November 2024. This transfer marked the commencement of the program’s engineering and development phase.
“Our team is thoroughly focused on these major objectives while remaining vigilant to ensure we continue to reduce risk and find ways to accelerate critical defense capabilities,” Piatt added. “The progress we have made in just one year is a clear indication of our commitment to meeting and exceeding our customer’s expectations while preserving SAOC cost and schedule.”
The USAF’s selection of SNC for the SAOC program highlights a strategic shift towards fostering innovation and open systems, moving away from traditional OEM-led modernization projects. This contract is one of the largest of its kind awarded to a company other than the original equipment manufacturer.
SNC leads the SAOC effort alongside key partners including Collins Aerospace, GE Aerospace, Greenpoint Technologies Inc., Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®, NIAR, and Rolls-Royce. These industry leaders are combining their expertise to develop next-generation NC3 (nuclear command, control, and communication) capabilities while maintaining rigorous standards of speed, innovation, and cost efficiency.
