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Posted on 12/18/2025 5:11:55 AM PST by devane617
The US Air Force announced plans Tuesday to purchase two Boeing 747-8 aircraft to support its future presidential airlift program, with an Air Force official confirming it would acquire the planes from German carrier Lufthansa.
At a price tag of $400 million, the Air Force said in a statement that it is “procuring two aircraft to support training and spares for the 747-8 fleet” as it prepares to replace the 747-200 models that currently serve as Air Force One in the coming years.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
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No, these are for training and spare parts.
No, these are for training and spare parts.
No, these are for training and spare parts.
No, these are for training and spare parts.
1. I don’t know how it would work with a government contract, but the 747-8 ceased production in 2022 or 2023.
2. The article mentions 747-200s for the AF1 fleet, I could’ve sworn that they were -400s, which ceased production around 2011.
Aviation ping!...............
The two VC-25As and the four E-4s are the only 747-200s left flying, at least in the western hemisphere. The 747-8s the Air Force is buying are being converted and will be officially designated as VC-25B. The original plan was for the last two or three 747-8Is built to be custom equipped and have Secret Service agents observing the entire assembly process at Boeing from the beginning.
During his first term, President Trump decided they were too expensive and directed the Air Force to find a better alternative. The Boeing order was cancelled, and they bought a couple of 747-8s that had been parked because the operating costs. The work to install the needed equipment has been slow and complicated and will likely cost close the to amount the Air Force would have spent for new aircraft.
;^)
You can say that again
Back in my USAF days, cannibalizing parts from one aircraft to another (we called it "cannonball") was sometimes done, however generally discouraged and required some approvals.
That said, having a complete, flight ready A/C as a donor would support mission readiness.
I interpret the article saying these 8’s are a flying part of the AF1 fleet. As I stated above this may be the step that knocks out the Boeing order which seems like will not happen anyway.
The "spare parts" bit is the confounder for moi.
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