The US Air Force introduced plans Tuesday to buy two Boeing 747-8 plane to support its future presidential airlift program, with an Air Force official confirming it could purchase the planes from German provider Lufthansa.
At a price ticket of $400 million, the Air Force mentioned in an announcement that it’s “procuring two aircraft to support training and spares for the 747-8 fleet” because it prepares to exchange the 747-200 fashions that at present function Air Force One within the coming years.
“Given the 747-8i is no longer in active production, and is a very different aircraft than the 747-200, it is important for the Air Force to establish an overall training and sustainment strategy for the future Air Force 747-8i fleet,” the department mentioned.
The first airplane can be delivered early subsequent yr and the second is predicted to be delivered earlier than the top of 2026. The transfer comes after the Air Force introduced the long-delayed supply of the primary of two new Boeing 747-8 plane, slated to be used as Air Force One, is now anticipated in mid-2028. President Donald Trump additionally has his donated Qatari jet in production, which he beforehand predicted might be prepared for his utilization by February, regardless of deep skepticism from specialists and former aviation officers.
Lufthansa advised NCS it’s persevering with “the rollover” of its 747 fleet in 2026, which incorporates the elimination of two 747-400 and two 747-8 plane, however declined to touch upon a purchaser.
NCS has reached out to the White House for touch upon the matter.
Trump and former presidents have long-awaited new planes from Boeing. One of the present planes used for transport by the president has been in use since 1990.
Boeing’s contract to exchange two Air Force One jets had an authentic supply date of 2022. An Air Force official earlier this year prompt that the primary airplane might doubtlessly be delivered by 2027, a yr or two sooner than Boeing had beforehand predicted. The newest supply timeline offered by the Air Force of mid-2028 would nonetheless imply that Trump might be flying in one of many new plane earlier than the top of his time period.
There’s additionally the Qatari jet that many are uncertain can be prepared by February.
Earlier this yr, Trump introduced he would settle for the donated present from Qatar to use as Air Force One. Many are skeptical of the legality and ethics of accepting such a present whereas others are nervous in regards to the risk to safety, primarily based on how a lot goes right into a jet match for the chief of the United States.