Sierra Nevada Corp., led by chairwoman and co-owner Eren Ozmen, has secured a $13.1 billion contract to develop the next Doomsday planes for the U.S. Air Force. This contract is a significant milestone for the privately held aerospace-defense company, which is now tasked with executing a complex and top-secret government project on time and on budget. The project, known as the Survivable Airborne Operations Center, presents numerous technical and management challenges that SNC must navigate successfully to solidify its reputation and financial standing.
Eren Ozmen, along with her husband Fatih, purchased SNC in 1994 and has since transformed the company into the country’s biggest female-owned defense contractor. Their decision to compete for programs typically reserved for tier one aerospace-defense companies led them to pursue the Doomsday contract, a move that could potentially elevate SNC to the major leagues of the aerospace industry. Despite facing stiff competition from industry giants like Boeing, SNC’s innovative approach and willingness to take risks ultimately secured them the lucrative contract, positioning them for potential growth and expansion in the coming years.
The Doomsday project involves retrofitting up to eight used Boeing jets to serve as hardened airborne command posts in the event of nuclear war or other catastrophic events. SNC’s success in this project will depend on its ability to work alongside Boeing, which still owns the design data for the original plane. However, SNC’s approach of creating a “digital twin” of the plane using scanning technology may minimize the need for extensive collaboration with Boeing. The open systems approach taken by SNC, where they relinquish any intellectual property rights to the Air Force, is a departure from the traditional practices in the defense sector.
While the Doomsday contract presents a significant opportunity for SNC to showcase its capabilities and potentially secure future contracts, it also comes with risks and challenges. The Ozmens have invested heavily in modernizing SNC’s infrastructure and facilities to meet the demands of the project. With extensive guidance from the Air Force and support from experienced subcontractors, SNC aims to successfully deliver the next generation of Doomsday planes by 2036. The completion of this project could pave the way for further growth and opportunities for SNC in the aerospace industry.
In addition to the Doomsday project, SNC has already secured other notable contracts, including a $1 billion pact to develop long-range spy planes for the Army. Their goal is to reach $4 billion in revenue by 2025 and triple their size by 2030. With the successful execution of the Doomsday contract, SNC hopes to establish itself as a major player in the aerospace-defense sector, moving up the industry’s food chain and demonstrating its ability to handle large-scale, complex projects.
Overall, the success of the Doomsday project will be a defining moment for Eren and Fatih Ozmen, showcasing their ability to lead SNC through challenging endeavors and solidify the company’s position in the aerospace industry. As they navigate the complexities of the project and work towards delivering the next generation of Doomsday planes, SNC’s reputation and future growth potential hang in the balance, hinging on their ability to execute the project efficiently and effectively.
