U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after news reports that the U.S. Air Force awarded a contract to deliver the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC). The SAOC will replace the existing fleet of E-4B aircraft, known as the National Airborne Operations Center:
“I commend the Air Force’s decision to move forward with this critical program. The Survivable Airborne Operations Center is vital to U.S. Strategic Command and to the national defense of this country. As the world continues to grow more dangerous, our investment in this next generation aircraft demonstrates America’s commitment to modernizing our NC3 systems and defending our national security,” said Senator Fischer.