The Next Air Force One will be...

ShyFlyer (Founding Member) 29 Jan 15, 00:01

...another 747.

The Pentagon has chosen Boeing's 747-8 to replace the two aging planes that serve as the President's Air Force One fleet.

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said in a statement that the plane, one of Boeing's largest, is the only aircraft "manufactured in the United States [that] when fully missionized meets the necessary capabilities established to execute the presidential support mission, while reflecting the office of the President of the United States of America consistent with the national public interest."

http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/28/politics/ ... one-fleet/

Wednesday’s decision was not a contract award, and the costs associated with the decision aren’t clear. Although Boeing has built more than 1,500 747s since the type first flew in 1968, the aircraft that transports the president requires high levels of customization to accommodate secure communications, sensors, countermeasures, in-flight refueling and other upgrades.

In the past the Air Force has said it projected to set aside about $1.7 billion for the program over the next five years. The Pentagon’s new budget request, due to Congress on Monday, may include new details.

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/a ... 14689.html

I'm not surprised by the selection. I didn't expect it to be made this soon, though.

Make Orwell fiction again.

Click Click D'oh (Photo Quality Screener & Founding Member) 29 Jan 15, 00:37

Makes perfect sense. The platform can share a lot of the existing technology and infrastructure of the current airframes and will certainly share existing training and operational doctrine to a large extent. Newer airframes, more capability, familiar package.

Good choice

Of course, it will be years before they are actually built.

Now, the real question is this... Are they smart enough to go ahead and buy 6 airframes while they are at it and replace the E-4Bs too.

We sleep peacefully in our beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on our behalf

Allstarflyer (Database Editor & Founding Member) 29 Jan 15, 00:38

Personally wouldn't mind if they just get one of them, side it along the current two and wait for the new 777. {twocents}

Have the newest Boeing out there representing the office along w/two engine cost savings.

Boris (Founding Member) 29 Jan 15, 01:08

Allstarflyer wrote:Personally wouldn't mind if they just get one of them, side it along the current two and wait for the new 777. Have the newest Boeing out there representing the office along w/two engine cost savings.

Come on, do you really think the US government gives two shits about cost savings??? {laugh}

The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers...

Allstarflyer (Database Editor & Founding Member) 29 Jan 15, 01:18

Boris wrote:
Allstarflyer wrote:Personally wouldn't mind if they just get one of them, side it along the current two and wait for the new 777. Have the newest Boeing out there representing the office along w/two engine cost savings.

Come on, do you really think the US government gives two shits about cost savings???

True, and Click's right about advantages w/commonality, but I would like to see the new 777 have something of a coming out party as the new AF1.

halls120 (Plank Owner) 29 Jan 15, 03:15

Allstarflyer wrote:True, and Click's right about advantages w/commonality, but I would like to see the new 777 have something of a coming out party as the new AF1.

Not happening as long as there is a four engined airframe available.

They should order some E4B replacements as well.

At home in the PNW and loving it

JLAmber (netAirspace ATC & Founding Member) 29 Jan 15, 11:07

The Next Air Force One will be...

Whatever aircraft the POTUS next flies on. The replacement for the VC-25 will be a 748 variant

halls120 wrote:Not happening as long as there is a four engined airframe available.

Strategic reasons? Four engines are presumably more difficult to take out than two?

Allstarflyer wrote:I would like to see the new 777 have something of a coming out party as the new AF1.

Some sources are quoting that the new presidential aircraft will be the final 747 ever built, which also seems somewhat fitting.

A million great ideas...

halls120 (Plank Owner) 29 Jan 15, 12:29

JLAmber wrote:Strategic reasons? Four engines are presumably more difficult to take out than two?

I suspect so. That said, once the 748i needs replacing, I'll bet the AF goes for a 777x or whatever Boeing has coming down the pipeline. Buying a foreign built aircraft for the Prez just isn't ever going to happen.

At home in the PNW and loving it

ShanwickOceanic (netAirspace FAA) 29 Jan 15, 12:36

halls120 wrote:Buying a foreign built aircraft for the Prez just isn't ever going to happen.

And anyone who questions that need only look at the tanker fiasco.

My friend and I applied for airline jobs in Australia, but they didn't Qantas.

ANCFlyer (netAirspace ATC & Founding Member) 29 Jan 15, 14:39

Boris wrote:
Allstarflyer wrote:Personally wouldn't mind if they just get one of them, side it along the current two and wait for the new 777. Have the newest Boeing out there representing the office along w/two engine cost savings.

Come on, do you really think the US government gives two shits about cost savings???

Emphasis mine.

{check}

It's a great choice. Commonality of airframes and training. Plus . . . an AMERICAN made aircraft.

LET'S GO BRANDON!!!!

Boris (Founding Member) 29 Mar 15, 21:18

A couple of new articles regarding the new Air Force One's.

They hope to have them flying in eight years...

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/air-force-o ... ial-wings/

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/03/29/mi ... force-one/

The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers...

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