The order is for up to THREE new planes. I think the cost of Obama’s helicopter fleet was deemed out of line, too.
If Trump is using his own plane, does he get escorts?
When one considers all the redundancies and comm gear, each plane is like two planes in one. I saw the inside of Marine 1, the Presidential helicopter once. It had 2 generators, pontoons for water landing and self-sealing fuel tanks. Inside was a bed and a desk.
I couldn’t get much closer than 10 feet, as it was cordoned off and patrolled by an armed Marine.