[SIDENET]

The US is already buying used aircraft. The airframe for the prototype ABL was formerly an airliner in India. I remember reading it in an Air Force magazine. Sorry, I don't have a link.

[SIDENET]

I meant to say that the 747 was a former air freighter in India. The 747-400 isn't a people-hauler.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Thats good.
As long as the airframes still have some useful life in them, and were maintained , why not use them ?
If the US Government were to buy more used 747 airframes for this project from the Airlines, then, they will save on the cost on this program.
It will free up those airlines to order the New 747 Advanced, and give them a good reason to order the new 747.
And it's a win - win situation for all parties involved.
The US Government ( DoD ) gets it's 747 planes at a reduced cost, the airlines get their old airframes ( but still useful airframes ) off their hands, and Boeing gets new business from those airlines, and can launch the New 747 Advanced program.
To : BOEING, US GOVERNMENT ( DoD ) , and the AIRLINES ???
This is a WIN - WIN situation for all the parties involved and can save on the cost of the 747/Laser project, sounds like a good Idea ???