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Bewildered by this. SNC was the sole remaining bidder after Boeing withdrew a while ago due to the terms of the proposed contract. But, I have no idea what qu

Bewildered by this. SNC was the sole remaining bidder after Boeing withdrew a while ago due to the terms of the proposed contract. But, I have no idea what qualifies SNC to do this job. They've been working on DreamChaser forever and it might fly sometime soon. They have some other small airframe jobs (that I know about.) But have they done anything remotely close to the scope of a fleet of high-rel, secure, hardened systems capable of keeping a bunch of people alive in a nuclear attack scenario? Boeing today is not the Boeing of yesteryear but if it was a fixed price contract on a job with development risk and potential scope creep, I can see why they didn't want to go forward. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/boeing-eliminated-us-air-forces-doomsday-plane-competition-2023-12-01/ https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/boeing-el...

_djo_ 2y ago
This is distinct from their space business. With regard to aircraft, Sierra Nevada has built up a lot of experience as a systems and sensors integration company. They built Gorgon Stare, they've fitted out a bunch of multi-mission PC-12s packed with sensors amongst other aircraft, and they've done extensive C-130 modifications. [0] They're also apparently a lot more willing to provide data and IP rights, whereas the traditional primes have tried to keep that proprietary. I think they're a good fit. [0]https://www.sncorp.com/capabilities/large-aircraft-modification/ https://www.sncorp.com/capabilities/large-aircraft-modificat...
- OldGuyInTheClub 2y ago
  I don't think any of those are on the scale of this contract. Seems reasonable for primes to request data and IP rights on work they've funded internally.
  - _djo_ 2y ago
    This is the biggest contract they've been awarded, sure, but they do have an established track record and have been investing in larger scale capacity lately. For highly specialised aircraft with a small procurement number it can make sense to go for mid-tiers rather than the massive primes. Here's some more background: https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/sierra-nevada-wins-us-air-force-nightwatch-replacement-contract https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/s...

_djo_ 2y ago

This is distinct from their space business. With regard to aircraft, Sierra Nevada has built up a lot of experience as a systems and sensors integration company. They built Gorgon Stare, they've fitted out a bunch of multi-mission PC-12s packed with sensors amongst other aircraft, and they've done extensive C-130 modifications. [0] They're also apparently a lot more willing to provide data and IP rights, whereas the traditional primes have tried to keep that proprietary. I think they're a good fit. [0]https://www.sncorp.com/capabilities/large-aircraft-modification/ https://www.sncorp.com/capabilities/large-aircraft-modificat...

OldGuyInTheClub 2y ago
I don't think any of those are on the scale of this contract. Seems reasonable for primes to request data and IP rights on work they've funded internally.
- _djo_ 2y ago
  This is the biggest contract they've been awarded, sure, but they do have an established track record and have been investing in larger scale capacity lately. For highly specialised aircraft with a small procurement number it can make sense to go for mid-tiers rather than the massive primes. Here's some more background: https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/sierra-nevada-wins-us-air-force-nightwatch-replacement-contract https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/s...