from the article...
The idea of an ‘interim’ presidential aircraft stems from delays in the current effort to replace the two current VC-25As — the oldest of which has been flying for 35 years — which are based on the 747-200 model. The VC-25B program traces its roots back to the late 2000s, and then-President-Elect Donald Trump had previously called for its cancellation back in 2017.
The 747-200s in any configuration have all but disappeared from the skies, meaning finding parts and general support for the type is getting harder and more expensive with each passing year. The USAF also flies four E-4B airborne command post aircraft based on the same design, which are in the process of being replaced themselves by a larger number of 747-8is. Trump noted the maintenance issues during his Monday press conference, without offering specifics.
The VC-25As are the most expensive aircraft to fly in the USAF’s portfolio, costing roughly $178,000 per hour based on numbers from four years ago. That price has only gone up, likely significantly.
The designated replacements for these jets, known as Air Force One when the president is aboard, are the two VC-25Bs that Boeing is converting from 747-8i airliners, which you can read more about here.
The conversion process has taken far longer than initially anticipated, with estimates that the new jets would not be ready until 2029, after Trump leaves office. However, a top Air Force official testified last week that the flying branch is working with the White House and Boeing to speed things up.
“We are committed to replacing the 35-year-old VC-25A with reliable air transport equipped with communications capability and security equal to that of the White House,” Costello wrote.
Earlier this year, reports were circulating on how Trump was looking at alternative options for the next Air Force One, including how he had reportedly inspected the former Qatari jet at Palm Beach International, Florida. As you can read about in this previous in-depth piece, the 12-year-old aircraft belonged to the ruling family of Qatar, but was subsequently marketed for sale. No buyers have taken on the Jumbo Jet, with its equally supersized operational costs.
It’s one thing to hasten the conversion process. It is quite something else to ensure that the end product will meet the strict requirements for keeping the president connected, including with the National Command Authority (NCA), even in a dire crisis. The ability for the president to connect with the NCA anywhere and at any time underpins the credibility of America’s nuclear deterrent. It is not seen as a negotiable item in terms of requirements. Hardening the aircraft from the electromagnetic effects of nuclear explosions, defending it against a multitude of threats — especially surface-to-air missiles — and playing a role in the critical ‘continuity of government’ mission are all aspects of Air Force One’s requirements. Many secondary modifications, including vast power generation capabilities and structural tweaks, are needed to integrate these and other features.
By
Crnr2Crnr ·
Birdie Boy Newest Member ·