politics
Trump unveils new Air Force One, a converted Qatari 747
New craft, called VC-25B Bridge, had provoked protest since $400m jet wildly exceeds limit on unsolicited gifts
TL;DR
- Donald Trump unveiled the new, temporary Air Force One, a converted Qatari 747, at Joint Base Andrews.
- The jet, designated VC-25B, was gifted by Qatar, exceeding the $50 limit for unsolicited gifts, which prompted political protest.
- The cost of converting the Qatari 747 is estimated at $1 billion and it will serve as a 'bridge' until two new presidential Boeings arrive in 2027 and 2028.
- Criticism suggests the conversion costs could impact the ICBM modernization program.
- Trump stated the new jet is necessary to keep pace with aircraft flown by foreign leaders.
- One of the two aging 747s in the current fleet was recently forced to turn back due to a technical fault.
- The Air Force fast-tracked retrofitting, skipping some modifications for the next-generation jet to expedite delivery.
- The new jet features a color scheme similar to Trump's own jet and is expected to lead a large flyover on July 4th.
- The retirement of one current Air Force One (tail number 29000) coincides with the delivery of the new jet.