US Air Force Rebuilds Qatar-Gifted $400 Million 747 Into Air Force One in 9 Months
Updated
Updated · Supercar Blondie · Jul 14
US Air Force Rebuilds Qatar-Gifted $400 Million 747 Into Air Force One in 9 Months
3 articles · Updated · Supercar Blondie · Jul 14
Summary
Nine months after work formally began in September 2025, the US Air Force had overhauled Qatar’s gifted Boeing 747 into the new presidential aircraft, known as the VC-25B Bridge.
The conversion required stripping and rebuilding the jet to eliminate potential security risks and install Air Force One-grade communications and protection systems for the president.
To save time, the Air Force largely kept the engines and much of the cabin intact, making only limited visible changes such as English exit signs and a new red, white, blue and gold livery.
Qatar handed over the aircraft in May 2025, but months of political debate and paperwork delayed the start; the retrofit cost remains classified, though the New York Times reported a $934 million transfer tied to the effort.