The U.S. Air Force has begun work on modifying a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar earlier this year, a spokesperson told CNN on Monday. The aircraft, 13 years old and previously in private use, is undergoing classified modifications for use in ‘executive airlift support.’ President Donald Trump previously said he intends to use the jet as a future Air Force One, though the Air Force has not confirmed that designation.
Converting a second-hand jet into a secure presidential transport requires a near-total rebuild. U.S. intelligence and security agencies will be responsible for removing existing systems and installing advanced communications and counterintelligence measures. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers in June the work would likely cost under $400 million, with completion ranging from several months to more than two years. The Secret Service, CIA, NSA and White House Communications Agency are also expected to play roles in the project.
The donation stirred debate in Washington. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said in May the aircraft “poses significant espionage and surveillance problems,” while Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., warned of “immense counterintelligence risks.”
When did the Air Force acquire the competence to convert a 747 to AF1? And the vehicle still works. As an airplane.
Thought the premise was to save $$$$. Taxpayers are now supporting (3) 747 upgrades. The first (2) with significant cost and schedule overruns and now this one which they are saying $400M for the upgrade. Anyone who has been around mod programs knows a program of this magnitude; it will surpass the proposed $400M budget. Does not make good business sense.
Where is DOGE when you need them…
What an incredibly stupid idea! Pour a ton of money into this plane for two years of use so then it can be donated to his presidential library (by the way, please explain how and where that will work!). Not to mention the two 747’s ordered are late because the deal maker in chief decided to by two white tail jets that were undelivered. It turns out that it is a lot more difficult and expensive to mod an airplane than to build it from the start to AF1 specs!
A near “total rebuild” will take, what, two years? And cost, what, as much as a purpose-built AF-1? By that time Trump will have at most one year in office, after which all the secret stuff will have to be removed then we just give the airplane to Trump?? As a taxpayer, I find the whole debacle outrageous.
If they do it for double the estimated price it will be far cheaper than it normally costs to make an Air Force One, which is over 2 billion. Trump does not tend to allow people to blow budgets.
I think the idea of putting it in the presidential library was if they did not convert it to an Air Force 1. If this jet gets converted into an Air Force One, I’m pretty sure it will continue being used for future presidents.
Hahahahahahhahahahaha
Good one.
This is simply a vanity project at the taxpayer’s expense. Absurd!