Rolls-Royce and Sierra Nevada Corporation Team Up for $13 Billion 'Doomsday' Plane Project

Surviving the End of the World in Style: Rolls-Royce's Latest Venture

 

Want to survive the end of the world in style? What better place to do it than in a Rolls-Royce airplane? If it sounds like an invention of the future, that's because it is. Rolls-Royce, in collaboration with the Sierra Nevada Corporation, is embarking on a groundbreaking project to build a $13 billion 'Doomsday plane' for the US Air Force.

A New Generation of Airborne Defense

The project, part of the Air Force's Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC), is set to create a successor to the Air Force's current E-4B planes. These planes, militarized versions of the Boeing 747-200 jumbo jet, serve as mobile command centers in the event of a national emergency and typically transport the Secretary of Defense. Each of the four existing planes can seat up to 111 people, including the US president, the secretary of defense, and joint military chiefs.

Unmatched Protection and Advanced Features

With such high-profile passengers, the new aircraft must include features far beyond those of a regular plane. Designed to survive a nuclear blast, these planes will also be capable of mid-air refueling to avoid potentially dangerous stops. These enhancements ensure that key figures remain safe and operational during critical national emergencies.

Rolls-Royce's Role in Propulsion Systems

Rolls-Royce's involvement in this ambitious project follows the Pentagon's $13 billion contract award to Sierra Nevada Corporation. Rolls-Royce will focus on developing the plane’s propulsion systems, drawing on its decades of experience in powering military operations worldwide.

Adam Riddle, president of defense at Rolls-Royce, highlighted the company's dedication to national security: “For decades, Rolls-Royce has powered military operations around the world with reliable, cutting-edge technologies – safely transporting service members on their missions. Now, we are proud to pair our proven pedigree with the collective expertise of Sierra Nevada Corporation and the rest of the SAOC team to ensure our military leaders have the platform to protect our national security when it matters most.”

Collaboration for National Security

Sierra Nevada Corporation's executive vice president, Jon Piatt, echoed Riddle's sentiments, emphasizing the strategic importance of this collaboration: “Sierra Nevada Corporation is very excited to collaborate with Rolls-Royce, putting its vast experience to work on this crucial Air Force mission. We are certain that Rolls-Royce will prove a valuable partner in maintaining a strategic edge to protect the country when it matters most.”

Looking Ahead

The contract for this groundbreaking project is expected to run up to July 2036, signifying a long-term commitment to advancing national security through innovative aviation technology. As Rolls-Royce and Sierra Nevada Corporation forge ahead with this venture, the future of airborne defense looks promising.

For those who wonder what the future holds for military aviation, the development of the 'Doomsday plane' represents a significant leap forward, combining state-of-the-art technology with unparalleled protection features. This project not only showcases the prowess of Rolls-Royce and Sierra Nevada Corporation but also underscores the importance of preparing for and responding to national emergencies with the highest level of readiness.

Rolls-Royce’s partnership with Sierra Nevada Corporation on the $13 billion 'Doomsday plane' project exemplifies innovation and dedication to national security. This next-generation airborne command center promises to safeguard key figures in times of crisis, marking a new era in military aviation.

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Source: Unilad

Photo Credit: US Air Force / Museum of Flight/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

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