US EditionQatari jet-turned-Air Force One expected to be delivered this summer, Air Force says
The U.S. Air Force plans to complete conversion of the Qatari-donated Boeing 747 into a secure presidential aircraft by summer 2026, with costs under $400 million.
- On Thursday, the U.S. Air Force said it expects the Qatari-gifted VC-25 bridge aircraft to be delivered no later than summer 2026 to support President Donald Trump's airlift mission.
- Last year, conversion teams and U.S. agencies began stripping the aircraft to its frame and performing classified modifications to harden systems for secure presidential command-and-control.
- The Qatari jet, a $400 million Boeing 747, is being remodeled by L3Harris Technologies, with Air Force Secretary Troy Meink saying conversion costs are `probably less than $400 million`.
- An agreement signed last year states the Qatari donation is `unconditional` and the Air Force said the airplane may need more testing before it is operational after an electrical issue forced a return to Joint Base Andrews earlier this week.
- Amid Boeing delays, the Qatari offer arrived after disputes over a $3.9 million contract, while Trump said last year the plane could be ready by February 2026 and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the gift `sounded much better` after travel delays.
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BizTocTrump Could Begin Flying on Jet Donated by Qatar by This Summer
President Trump could start flying later this year on the 747 Boeing jetliner donated by the government of Qatar, after the Air Force said it expected to deliver the refurbished plane no later than this summer. The Air Force has been working since September on upgrading the luxury jet to accommodate the security needs of transporting the president, who has pressed for it to be ready as soon as possible. Lawmakers and some administration official…
Qatari Air Force One ready for summer delivery
The airplane Qatar gifted President Donald Trump is preparing for its first takeoff no later than this summer, the Air Force said. The Air Force expects the next Qatari-gifted Air Force One plane to be ready by summer 2026. “The Air Force remains committed to expediting delivery of the VC-25 bridge aircraft in support of the Presidential airlift mission, with an anticipated delivery no later than summer 2026,” the Air Force said in a statement r…
The luxurious Qatari aircraft that is being transformed into the new Air Force One will be delivered this summer, the Air Force reported in a statement, about a year after its major modifications began.
Trump could fly in Qatari-donated Air Force One as soon as this summer
A fully retrofitted Qatari jet gifted to the United States to serve as a new Air Force One is on track to be able to shuttle President Trump around the globe no later than this summer, according to the Air Force. “The Air Force remains committed to expediting delivery of the VC-25 bridge aircraft in support of the presidential airlift mission, with an anticipated delivery no later than summer 2026,” a service spokesperson told Inside Defense. Th…
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