USAF Plans to Expand E-4C Doomsday Aircraft Fleet to Eight

This article summarizes reporting by Aviation Week. The original report is paywalled; this article summarizes publicly available elements, government documents, and public remarks.

USAF Infrastructure Plans Hint at Doubling “Doomsday” Fleet Size

The United States Air Forces appears to be laying the groundwork to significantly expand its fleet of nuclear command and control aircraft. According to reporting by Aviation Week, recently released infrastructure requirements suggest the service is planning to house up to eight E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) aircraft, double the size of the current E-4B “Nightwatch” fleet.

The revelation stems from industry day slides presented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on January 22, 2026. These documents, detailing construction projects at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, outline requirements for facilities capable of supporting a larger squadron than previously announced. While the official acquisition contract currently covers five aircraft, the long-term infrastructure planning points toward a strategic intent to bolster the resilience of the nation’s “Continuity of Government” mission.

Infrastructure vs. Acquisition: The Numbers Gap

There is currently a distinction between the Air Force’s contracted acquisitions and its facility planning. In April 2024, the Air Force awarded Sierra Nevada Corp (SNC) a $13 billion contract to develop the E-4C, the designated replacement for the aging E-4B fleet. That contract explicitly covers the development and modification of five aircraft: one for engineering and manufacturing development, followed by four production aircraft.

However, the new construction documents cited by Aviation Week indicate a requirement to house “six to eight E-4Cs.” The planned infrastructure improvements at Offutt AFB, the fleet’s home base, include:

• A new two-bay maintenance hangar expected to be completed around Fiscal Year 2028.
• A parking apron sized to accommodate seven E-4C aircraft simultaneously.
• Expanded support facilities designed for a larger operational squadron.

This infrastructure expansion suggests that while the initial buy is limited to five airframes, the Air Force is preparing the physical footprint necessary to support a fleet of eight in the 2030s.

The E-4C SAOC Program Status

The E-4C is based on the Boeing 747-8i, a modern commercial airframe that offers significant improvements in range, fuel efficiency, and payload capacity over the vintage 747-200s used for the current E-4B fleet. Because Boeing ended production of the 747 in 2023, SNC is acquiring used commercial airframes for modification.

According to program details, SNC has already purchased five Boeing 747-8i aircraft from Korean Air. These airframes are currently undergoing the complex modifications required to harden them against electromagnetic pulses (EMP) and nuclear effects, transforming them into mobile command posts for the President, Secretary of Defense, and Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Flight testing for the program reportedly began in August 2025, focusing on initial airworthiness and risk reduction. The fleet is expected to reach full operational capability in the early-to-mid 2030s, with infrastructure projects at Offutt AFB slated for completion between 2028 and 2030.

AirPro News Analysis: The Strategic Logic of Expansion

Expanding the “Doomsday” fleet from four to eight aircraft would address long-standing readiness challenges inherent in the current E-4B program. The existing fleet, which has been in service since the 1970s, struggles with availability rates that often hover around 60%. Maintaining a 24/7 alert posture with only four airframes creates a fragile logistical chain where a single unscheduled maintenance event can disrupt coverage.

We assess that a fleet of eight would allow for a sustainable rotation model. This would ensure that while some aircraft are in heavy maintenance or training cycles, others remain available for immediate launch to support multiple theaters simultaneously. For example, a larger fleet would allow the USAF to support the President and the Secretary of Defense in different geographic locations without depleting the alert force.

Market Constraints and Urgency

While the infrastructure plans account for eight jets, securing the additional airframes presents a unique challenge. Since the 747-8 is no longer in production, the Air Force and SNC must rely on the secondary market. Aviation Week notes that the international market for used 747-8s is “heating up,” which may create urgency if the Air Force intends to exercise options for the additional three aircraft.

SNC has stated it is “prepared to field additional aircraft” should the Air Force formalize the requirement.

The selection of SNC, a mid-tier defense manufacturer, over Boeing for this integration project marked a significant shift in defense procurement. SNC’s rapid acquisition of the initial five airframes and the commencement of flight testing within 16 months of the contract award demonstrates an aggressive push to meet the Air Force’s accelerated timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the E-4C?

The E-4C is the future Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC), a militarized Boeing 747-8i designed to serve as a mobile command post during national emergencies, including nuclear war.

How many E-4Cs will be built?

The current contract with Sierra Nevada Corp covers five aircraft. However, infrastructure plans at Offutt AFB suggest the Air Force is preparing for a fleet of up to eight.

When will the E-4C enter service?

The fleet is expected to reach full operational capability in the early-to-mid 2030s, with infrastructure completion targeted for 2028–2030.

Sources: Aviation Week, US Army Corps of Engineers, Sierra Nevada Corp