Overview
- The service said the VC-25 bridge aircraft is anticipated for delivery no later than this summer, though no exact date was given and it is unclear if it will be immediately operational.
- The 747-8 is being stripped down for structural checks and rebuilt with top-secret communications, cyber defenses, anti-missile systems, and counter-surveillance sweeps, with most details classified.
- Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told Congress the conversion would cost less than $400 million, funded in part by shifting dollars from the Sentinel ICBM program.
- With Boeing’s VC-25B now expected in mid-2028, the Air Force is also buying two Lufthansa 747s for training and spare parts as aging VC-25As face reliability issues, including this week’s electrical turnback.
- Reporting points to L3Harris handling militarization without public confirmation, and the Qatari donation has drawn scrutiny as President Trump characterizes it as a free gift to the Pentagon.