Overview

• The U.S. has accepted Qatar's gift of a $400 million Boeing 747-8 to serve as a temporary Air Force One replacement until Boeing's delayed VC-25B jets are ready.
• Retrofitting the jet to meet presidential security and operational standards could cost between hundreds of millions and over $1 billion, with completion unlikely before 2029.
• Necessary upgrades include advanced secure communications, missile countermeasures, EMP shielding, hull armoring, and a fully equipped medical bay.
• The Pentagon has engaged L3Harris Technologies to begin preliminary work, while Boeing is expected to secure the primary retrofit contract as the jet's original manufacturer.
• The project faces scrutiny over its cost, timeline, and alignment with President Trump's term, with concerns it may not be completed before the official Air Force One replacements arrive.