Overview

• An Air Force spokesperson confirmed work has started on the Boeing 747-8, which officials describe as for executive airlift support.
• Key details, including the scope of modifications and the contractor, remain undisclosed, with multiple reports naming L3Harris without Air Force confirmation.
• Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers the retrofit will probably cost under $400 million, though some in Congress contend the bill could approach $1 billion.
• Meink said initial funding for the project was drawn from the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program.
• The conversion involves stripping the jet and installing secure communications and defensive systems with participation from the Secret Service, CIA, NSA and the White House Communications Agency, as VC-25B delays continue and President Donald Trump has said he wants to use the aircraft as Air Force One.