Tag

Vc 25b

All articles tagged with #vc 25b

defense1 month ago•21 min saved

Boeing Bets More Cash to Hit the 2028 Air Force One Delivery Window

Boeing is tacking on an extra $280 million to accelerate the VC-25B program and keep the plan for a 2028 delivery of the next-generation Air Force One on track, absorbing most of the cost under a fixed-price contract and already pushing losses beyond $3 billion. The company is expanding production, boosting certification and testing, and shifting to a military-certification approach while working with the Air Force. In the interim, a Qatar-donated 747-8 serves as an interim Air Force One, as the permanent VC-25Bs—larger with advanced comms and defenses—are readied, though they will forgo aerial refueling to reduce risk and cost.

via Luxurylaunches|

#747-8 #air-force-one #boeing

defense1 month ago•8 min saved

Boeing’s Air Force One Overrun Deepens as 2028 Delivery Looms

Boeing booked a fresh $280 million charge for converting two VC-25B presidential aircraft, pushing its total losses on the program above $3 billion and delaying first delivery to 2028; the GAO’s cost estimates on the government side rise to about $6.6 billion, with Boeing adding resources to mitigate certification and testing risks, while the Qatar-donated VC-25B Bridge remains in service amid ongoing debates about its defensive capabilities and interim use as Air Force One.

via TWZ|

#air-force-one #boeing #cost-overruns

technology2 months ago•25 min saved

Bridge Jet: How a Qatar-Gifted 747-8i Becomes the Interim Air Force One

L3Harris converted a Qatar-gifted Boeing 747-8i into the interim VC-25B Bridge for Air Force One after Boeing’s VC-25B program was delayed, completing the work in about 10 months. The piece details how L3Harris missionized the aircraft, ensured secure, high-bandwidth communications, built training and sustainment programs, preserved much of the interior, and planned for a fleet of VC-25Bs while keeping the project aligned with White House and Air Force requirements.

via The War Zone|

#air-force-one #aircraft-modification #l3harris

politics2 months ago•3 min saved

Trump Debuts Qatar-Gifted VC-25B as Interim Presidential Jet

Trump unveiled the interim VC-25B, a Boeing 747 repurposed from a Qatar‑gifted aircraft, to serve as a temporary Air Force One while two new presidential jets are delayed; the roughly $1 billion conversion has drawn criticism over gifts and defense funding, but officials say it meets safety standards and accelerates delivery ahead of a July 4 celebration, with the existing aging 747s continuing to operate until replacements arrive.

via The Guardian|

#air-force-one #defense-spending #politics

defense2 months ago•13 min saved

Presidential Airlift Gets a New Ride as VC-25B Bridge Arrives at Andrews

The VC-25B Bridge, a modified 747-8i for presidential airlift, arrived at Joint Base Andrews and will begin commissioning flights to validate secure, mission-ready capabilities as it relieves the aging VC-25A fleet until the long-term replacement enters service, with an emphasis on mission capability, trained crews, and robust logistics.

via af.mil|

#bridge-aircraft #commissioning-flights #defense

defense4 months ago•3 min saved

USAF Bets on Used 747-8s to Bridge Presidential Jet Upgrade

The U.S. Air Force is purchasing two used Lufthansa Boeing 747-8s to serve as the VC-25B presidential aircraft, a move aimed at smoothing a mid- to late-2020s transition by providing familiar training, maintenance, and parts pathways since the 747-8 is no longer in production and the current VC-25A is based on an older 747-200 series.

via SlashGear|

#boeing-747-8 #defense #defense-procurement