Nightwatch: The USA’s E-4B NAOC “Doomsday” Fleet

E-4B NAOC

In December 2005, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a contract as Product Support Integrator (PSI) for the USAF’s E-4 National Airborne Operations Center fleet. These 4 modified 747-200s were introduced in 1974, and serve as complete flying command posts for national and military authorities. As one might imagine, they are hardened to resist the side-effects of nuclear attack, such as electro-magnetic pulse effects.

The 2005 contract was a 5-year, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract vehicle, with one 5-year option and a $2 billion cost cap. That’s a lot of money for a small fleet, but the E-4’s plays a military and civil role that gives the program enough leverage to justify it. A long history of support from Boeing includes a number of modernizations, and those continue for various systems within the fleet. DID looks at the aircraft, the program, and ongoing awards.

Germany’s Arms Exports Still Facing Political Pressure Under Strained Federal Coalition

• Germany’s Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel has been advising defense manufacturers to diversify as exports to unsavory regimes would be put under increased scrutiny. With a mid-year report he’s delivered on promises to increase transparency and timeliness in disclosing export licenses, but with sales to oppressive regimes in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Gabriel is still facing criticism [Deutsche Welle] as the number dropped by “only” €700M to €2.2B (i.e. -24% to $2.8B, or about back to 2012 levels).

• Gabriel’s critics from left-wing parties may be in the opposition today, but Gabriel’s center-left SPD will be their natural senior partner in future coalitions. The SPD is governing at the federal level alongside Angela Merkel’s CDU, but recently there’s been talk of a Red-Red-Green coalition in the Thuringia state, all while the new Eurosceptic AfD party made big gains in local elections. European coalition politics are fun! Reuters | The Local | Die Welt [in German].