Qatar-gifted Boeing 747 set to join Air Force One fleet by July 4
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 6
Qatar-gifted Boeing 747 set to join Air Force One fleet by July 4
12 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 6
The US Air Force said the 13-year-old jet, accepted by the White House in 2025, has finished modification and flight testing and is now being painted.
L3Harris is upgrading the aircraft with secure communications and missile-defence systems, with some officials also exploring a possible June 14 delivery before US 250th anniversary celebrations.
The move follows delays to Boeing's $3.9 billion VC-25B replacement programme until mid-2028, after more than $5 billion in costs and $2.4 billion in charges.
With modification costs nearing $1 billion, what is the true price of the 'gifted' Air Force One?
How will the interim jet's capability gaps impact presidential security in high-risk overseas areas?
What precedent does a foreign-gifted presidential jet set for U.S. diplomacy and national security?