L3Harris Technologies selected to provide secure communications for U.S. Air Force E-4C fleet under five-year SAOC program, subcontracted through Collins Aerospace.
L3Harris Technologies has been chosen to provide assured communications support for the U.S. Air Force’s E-4C fleet under the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) program, enhancing the company’s role in one of the military’s most sensitive command-and-control missions.
As a subcontractor on the SNC-led SAOC effort, L3Harris will conduct engineering and manufacturing development over five years through a contract with Collins Aerospace, an RTX business.
The SAOC program aims to replace the E-4B “Nightwatch” aircraft with the E-4C, ensuring the Air Force maintains an airborne command post capable of operating during national emergencies and high-end conflicts. The aircraft will provide secure and resilient communications to senior civilian and military leaders in contested environments.
L3Harris will support the integration of the communication suite for the E-4C fleet, applying its latest resilient communications technologies. This work expands the company’s footprint across air, ground, and space communications within the SAOC mission.
Leveraging over 15 years of experience supporting the E-4B and its ongoing development of wideband communications, L3Harris aims to deliver upgraded systems capable of functioning in environments where conventional communications may fail.
“L3Harris will provide advanced capabilities to ensure the E-4C fleet can execute any mission,” said Lauren Barnes, president of Broadband Communications Systems at L3Harris. “Our open-system technology and extensive resilient waveform portfolio will allow seamless software upgrades and sustain the program long-term.”
The E-4C will act as a central hub for national command authority communications, linking airborne, ground, and space-based systems, and must remain operational during crises that threaten fixed command centers.
L3Harris’ participation in SAOC aligns with its broader work in airborne and electronic warfare programs for the Department of Defense, including leadership roles in the Advanced Battle Management System and the Next-Generation Jammer – Low Band program.
Additionally, the company provides electronic warfare and communications technologies for platforms such as the F-16 Falcon, EA-37B Compass Call, and B-2 Spirit, focusing on connectivity, survivability, and situational awareness in contested environments.
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