Tue, Jan 14, 2025
USAF Selected SNC To Lead SAOC Team
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) reached a milestone in the U.S. Air Force’s Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) project with the delivery of the first Boeing 747-8i aircraft to Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) in Wichita, Kansas.
The NAIR is a recognized expert in critical areas of aerospace and defense, and will contribute additional expertise to the remodeled aircraft through its experience in open architecture design, composites, advanced materials, digital twin technology, and advanced techniques such as additive manufacturing. Its expertise in testing and certification of aircraft and components will deliver an innovative and cutting-edge solution to the Air Force.
Jon Piatt, executive vice president at SNC welcomed the news, saying, “SNC’s expertise in commercial-derivative aircraft modification and open systems architecture complement well NIAR’s digital modelling and other capabilities.”
SNC opened a second state-of-the-art hangar at its Aviation Innovation and Technology Center in Dayton, Ohio, and also broke ground on two additional hangars to support the work under the SAOC contract and other large aircraft mod projects. The second 747-8i was delivered to the facility, enabling the first aircraft to be released to NIAR to commence its work.
The selection of SNC by the USAF is one of the largest aircraft modernization contracts awarded to a company other than the OEM. SNC has historically championed open systems, innovation, speed, and life cycle cost competitiveness.
The SAOC project is being led by SNC and includes other A&D manufacturers Collins Aerospace, GE Aerospace, Greenpoint Technologies, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, NIAR, and Rolls-Royce.
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