After less than a year of alterations and modifications, the former Qatari Royal Family “flying palace” donated to the Air Force as an “interim” Air Force One has completed flight tests and is scheduled to be delivered to the presidential airlift group sometime over the summer. It’s now in the paint shop getting the red, white, blue, and gold livery favored by President Donald Trump. Other aircraft in that group are also getting the new paint job. It’s not clear when the 747 might first carry the president.
The Air Force took delivery of the 747-8i last May and it was sent to L3 Harris in Greenville, Texas, for modifications. Although neither L3 Harris no the Air Force will discuss the modifications, it’s thought that at a minimum it will have a missile defense system along with hardened electronics and communications gear to keep it functional as an airborne command post in a crisis. Some reports suggest the new gear was installed without significantly disturbing the ultra-luxurious interior that was installed by the previous owners.
It’s not only the aircraft that has undergone modifications. According to The War Zone, the Air Force’s public stance on upgrading of the aircraft has gone from what seemed to be an interesting side project to a critical national security priority. The Air Force told the military publication that getting what is now termed the “Bridge” 747 ready to carry the president is “an absolute imperative” because heavy maintenance on the existing fleet of 30-year-old VC-25s was already being pushed back to accommodate lengthy delays in the construction of two new Boeing-built VC-25B executive transports, which were supposed to be done in 2024. The War Zone said it’s the first it had heard that there were timeline challenges like that. The new planes will not be ready until at least 2028.
Liberal Canadian-American kvetching starting in 3….2….
I’ll buy when there’s a big, red Maple leaf on the tailfeathers…
Looking past the obvious points, what I don’t understand are the timelines.
Qatar gives a functioning B747, nothing special other then luxury accommodations and within a year, the Air Force was able to convert it into a plane able to *safely* carry the President of the US.
Yet, Boeing cannot somehow get two new planes there were suppose to be ready by 2024 ready until 2028? Boeing/Air force cannot as quick perform/finish maintenance tasks to keep 30 yo planes flying. That’s not even old.
A few things smell on this one.
I could add some confusion on how Qatar gives a plane to the US, the President gets the Air Force to upgrade it and then feels he can keep it after his term is up?
Okay, but as a tax payer, I want the cost of the upgrade to repaid or removed before transfer (at new owners expense) once he take ownership, because an ex-president does not need a fortified 747 to fly around in.
I may not have this correct and maybe Russ can confirm, but I believe Elon Musk was hired to work with the Airforce and Boeing to cut what was deemed to be “unnecessary” items from the installation package on the Qatari plane to fast track it. This consisted of eliminating or modifying security packages and defensive capabilities that would have taken a longer timeline to retrofit, similar to the original two 747’s. The specifics of the eliminated items are classified.
I bet it will only be used for domestic travel. Low threat environment. All the international travel will be on the old VC-25s.
The Palm Beach shuttle.
That was my thought. I wonder what systems could be dropped, assuming domestic use only?
He doesn’t get to keep it, at least not personally. Instead, it gets transferred to the Trump Library. What they do with it is up to them. I think display only is the likelihood – a non-profit would be hard pressed to maintain a 747 in flying condition.
But nobody asked me.
And who is “he”?