Qatar-donated 747 completes testing and painting for Air Force One
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 8
Qatar-donated 747 completes testing and painting for Air Force One
11 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 8
The US Air Force said the aircraft is due this summer, with Donald Trump saying he expects delivery by 4 July during America 250 celebrations.
The interim VC-25B Bridge will replace aging presidential 747s until Boeing delivers two new aircraft in 2028, after delays from an original 2024 target and cost growth to $4.4bn.
The jet will carry a Trump-influenced red-white-blue-and-gold livery, while the unusual foreign donation has raised ethics and security concerns requiring new screening procedures.
What diplomatic precedents are set when a U.S. president accepts a multi-million dollar aircraft from another nation?
How can a second-hand foreign jet be fully secured to meet the stringent standards of Air Force One?
What does relying on a donated jet reveal about the U.S. defense industry's ability to deliver critical projects on time?