Lawmakers are again raising concerns about the status of the Qatari-donated U.S. Air Force VC-25B Bridge aircraft, the new Air Force One, as President Donald Trump says the Boeing 747-8i will be taken out of service for more modifications.
Boeing will spend more internal funds on the VC-25B future Air Force One program as costs grow to keep the long-delayed program on its current schedule.
The U.S. Air Force’s new VC-25B “Bridge” aircraft made its international debut on July 8, flying President Donald Trump abroad, but for only part of the trip.
The Boeing 747-8i given to President Trump to serve as an interim Air Force One has completed flight testing and will roll out this summer, the service says.
The Boeing 747 donated by the government of Qatar to serve as a future Air Force One for President Trump has begun flight testing, the U.S. Air Force confirms.
The USAF is buying two Boeing 747-8is from Lufthansa for training and spares as part of the delayed program to replace the current VC-25A “Air Force One” fleet.
The DOD will not disclose the funding amount or timelines related to turning a gifted Boeing 747-8 from the government of Qatar into an interim Air Force One.
Boeing is set to deliver to the U.S. Air Force a new schedule for the long-delayed two-aircraft fleet, with projections now placing delivery as late as 2029.