The United States Air Force has confirmed it will acquire two B747-8s for use in replacing the two VC-25A B747-200Bs currently in use as presidential support aircraft.
USAF said in a statement that it has already requested Boeing (BOE, Washington National) to provide proposals for the design, modification, testing, and fielding of two Presidential mission-ready aircraft. The program expects to begin aircraft modifications in 2019 in time for deployment into service as Air Force One in 2024.
The Air Force did not disclose the price or the identity of the two aircraft acquired given contractual confidentiality clauses. However, they are believed to be B747-8s N894BA (msn 42416) and N895BA (msn 42417) originally destined for bankrupt Russian carrier, Transaero Airlines (Moscow Vnukovo) but never taken up.
"Purchasing these aircraft is a huge step toward replacing the aging VC-25As," Major General Duke Richardson, the Presidential Airlift Recapitalization program executive officer, said. "This award keeps us on track to modify and test the aircraft to become presidential mission-ready by 2024."
Once acquired, the two jets will undergo a series of modifications and tests that include the incorporation of a mission communications system, electrical power upgrades, a medical facility, an executive interior, a self-defense system, and autonomous ground operations capabilities.
Boeing will also modify their Federal Aviation Administration-certified commercial B747-8 aircraft to meet presidential operational requirements to help ensure an affordable program.
