E-4B replacement - Sierra Nevada Survivable Airborne Ops Center

[Ravendriver2008]

https://www.twz.com/air/job-of-building ... 6IrWmTBF9E

[Vulcanone]

With production of the 747 having ceased. I assume a version of the 777 is next in line for this one

[POL]

Second hand 747s of some kind.

[raameagle]

Did you actually read the article?!

With production of the 747 having ceased. I assume a version of the 777 is next in line for this one

[Ghastly Whisper]

With production of the 747 having ceased. I assume a version of the 777 is next in line for this one

Depends how many 4 engined 777s are kicking about...

[Typeflyer]

Did you actually read the article?!

With production of the 747 having ceased. I assume a version of the 777 is next in line for this one

I guess the short answer would be 'No'

[TonyO]

Believe SNC have opted to use ex-Korean Air 747-8s, when they become available.

[Vulcanone]

In short no, I hadn't got around to reading the main article.....

[Kurnass]

With only Lufthansa, Korean and China using the passenger version options are limited. And is there any guarantee they will be sold by one of these airlines within the next 10 years?

[sschofield]

It still baffles me that the USAF insists on 4 engines rather than 2. Twinjet/ETOPS technology can hardly considered to be unproven after what, 40 years of it by now? I remember the B767-200s in the early days showing that ETOPS worked and could be reliable, that must have started around 1984 or so?

[Canberra TT.18]

Is the C-17 an option?
I read there are rumours to reopen the production line as there is also demand on military transport market.
And yes I read the article

[raameagle]

Good lol.

The C-17 line will not reopen. All of the tooling was destroyed once production was complete and the C-17 will plod on for many years yet. Just like the F-4, it was built to last.

Regards

Mark

Is the C-17 an option?
I read there are rumours to reopen the production line as there is also demand on military transport market.
And yes I read the article

[Malcolm]

It still baffles me that the USAF insists on 4 engines rather than 2. Twinjet/ETOPS technology can hardly considered to be unproven after what, 40 years of it by now? I remember the B767-200s in the early days showing that ETOPS worked and could be reliable, that must have started around 1984 or so?

It's more to do with the mission, and the amount of electrical power that all the equipment on board an E-4 (or VC-25) uses. For both types the mission must continue with the loss of one engine which is do-able for a 4 engine jet., Loss of 2 engines (depending which 2) should allow you to stay airborne although I doubt all the mission equipment would be useable.

However, for a 2 engine jet the loss of one engine means land ASAP, and you certainly have to conserve power. Loss of two engines likely results in a very bad day for all aboard.

[Seahornet1]

It still baffles me that the USAF insists on 4 engines rather than 2. Twinjet/ETOPS technology can hardly considered to be unproven after what, 40 years of it by now? I remember the B767-200s in the early days showing that ETOPS worked and could be reliable, that must have started around 1984 or so?

It's more to do with the mission, and the amount of electrical power that all the equipment on board an E-4 (or VC-25) uses. For both types the mission must continue with the loss of one engine which is do-able for a 4 engine jet., Loss of 2 engines (depending which 2) should allow you to stay airborne although I doubt all the mission equipment would be useable.

However, for a 2 engine jet the loss of one engine means land ASAP, and you certainly have to conserve power. Loss of two engines likely results in a very bad day for all aboard.

A further thought - most ETOPS certifications are based around 3 or 4 hour maximum flight time to the nearest diversion airfield. The E-4B and its replacement need much longer endurances than this.
However, all these factors probably pale into insignificance compared to the question of the Scale of Risk. ETOPS is predicated on the survival of a planeload of passengers & crew - the E-4B mission concept is survival of the free world.

[Andy_99]

Maybe they could look at a Surplus A380
Obviously not though, but sure there's a few kicking about unloved.

[Nighthawke]

Too proud or stubborn to buy Airbus.

[Vulcanone]

Too proud or stubborn to buy Airbus.

A340 NEO anyone....Oh if only!!

[Vulcanone]

Well there we go for the new airframes

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerosp ... jVRZeupm3M

[TonyO]

Well there we go for the new airframes

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerosp ... jVRZeupm3M

As per Post 7...

[Vulcanone]

Yes Tony, this confirms it.

Had World Air Power Journal still existed we could have written something on it one day. Alas it doesn't, but its something for AW to keep up with.