Boeing Withdraws from E-4B 'Doomsday Plane' Replacement Contest

Boeing has been eliminated from the competition to build the Air Force's E-4B Nightwatch "Doomsday" plane replacement, leaving Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) as the sole remaining competitor. The decision came after Boeing and the Air Force failed to reach an agreement on data rights and contract terms. Boeing executives have been reluctant to sign new fixed-price development contracts due to significant losses in recent years. The Air Force's fiscal 2024 budget includes a substantial increase in funding for the replacement effort, with SNC expected to win the contract in 2024.