Long-delayed next Air Force One jets from Boeing might now be delivered by 2027 — in time for President Donald Trump to use them, according to a top Air Force official. While that’s still years behind the original delivery date of 2022, it’s one to two years earlier than Boeing had most recently predicted. Trump has expressed anger at the delays, and he reportedly had been looking at buying a different jet to use on an interim basis. News of the potential 2027 delivery came Wednesday from Darlene Costello, the Air Force’s acting acquisitions chief, who testified before the House Armed Service Committee about recent negotiations between the Air Force and Boeing. “I would not necessarily guarantee that date, but they are proposing to bring it in ’27, if we can come to agreement on the requirement changes,” Costello said. She was referring to contract requirements that are being loosened to get to that earlier date – such as the Air Force “relieving” Boeing of some some of the top-clearance security requirements for workers performing work on the aircraft, which has been blamed for some of the delays. Boeing said it had no comment on Costello’s testimony. Keeping Trump and the Air Force happy is critical for Boeing, which gets 42% of its revenue from US government contracts, according to its most recent filing. Boeing’s $3.9 billion contract to replace the two Air Force One jets has become an expensive and embarrassing albatross. Boeing has reported losses totaling $2.5 billion already on the program, known as VC-25B, since it agreed to be responsible for what has become soaring cost overruns. There are multiple reasons for the delay in delivery. After signing the original contract in 2017, Boeing began refurbishing two 747 jets in February 2020 that it had built for another customer but never delivered because of that customer’s bankruptcy — a process that in hindsight probably was more expensive and time consuming than if it had built from scratch. And the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, which started just weeks after Boeing began refurbishing the planes, caused significant additional delays. Current jets used by six different presidents The two jets now in use, which have the code letters VC-25A and carry the Air Force One designation when the president is on board, have been in service for nearly 35 years, starting during the term of President George H.W. Bush. Replacing the planes has long been a priority for Trump. “I’m not happy with the fact that it’s taken so long,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One in February. “There’s no excuse for it.” He said he wouldn’t turn to Boeing’s European rival Airbus, but would consider buying a used 747 and having a different company refurbish it for use as Air Force One. Soon after those comments Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg told investors that he is “all in” on trying to speed up the delivery and praised suggestions made by Elon Musk, who visited the Texas facility where the work is being done in December on Trump’s behalf. “The president is clearly not happy with the delivery timing,” Ortberg said at that time. “He’s made that well known. Elon Musk is actually helping us a lot in working through the requirements… to try to help us get the things that are non-value-added constraints out of the way, so we can move faster and the president those airplanes.” Even before Trump took office for the first time in 2017, he complained about the cost of the Boeing contract and threatened to cancel an existing deal. In February 2018 he negotiated the current contract for two of the jets, which saved the Air Force $1.4 billion over the previous deal, the White House said at the time. He had requested that the aircraft be delivered by 2021. The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the situation, reported last week that the government has commissioned defense contractor L3Harris to overhaul a Boeing 747 formerly used by the Qatari government, with the aim to have it in service by this fall as an Air Force One jet. But that contract has not been announced by the government, and Costello was not asked about it during the hearing. The challenge is not the basic jet, but what it takes to turn a run-of-the-mill Boeing 747 into the flying communications and command post fit for the president of the United States, said Richard Aboulafia, managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory, an aerospace consulting firm. They are supposed to be able to fly and protect its occupants from missile attack or even the shock waves of a nuclear blast. “You can have a jet anytime,” he said. “But it takes a great deal of work to have encrypted communications and manage the military and federal government from anywhere around the world in any circumstance.”
Boeing now plans to deliver new Air Force One jets in 2027, before Trump leaves office
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Boeing Aims for 2027 Delivery of New Air Force One Jets Amid Ongoing Delays"
CNN
7.0
TruthLens AI Summary
Boeing's long-delayed delivery of the next Air Force One jets may now occur by 2027, according to Darlene Costello, the acting chief of Air Force acquisitions. This timeline is still significantly behind the original target of 2022 but represents an improvement over Boeing's previous estimates. The updated schedule aims to accommodate President Donald Trump, who has expressed frustration over the delays and considered acquiring a different jet for interim use. Costello indicated that while the 2027 date is not guaranteed, it is being proposed under certain condition changes to the contract requirements, including easing some of the stringent security protocols for the workers involved in the project. Boeing, which relies heavily on government contracts for its revenue, has encountered severe financial losses associated with the Air Force One program, totaling $2.5 billion to date due to cost overruns and delays attributed to the pandemic and project mismanagement.
The current Air Force One jets, in use for nearly 35 years, are due for replacement as Trump has prioritized this initiative. The existing aircraft, designated VC-25A, has served multiple presidents since George H.W. Bush's administration. Trump has publicly criticized the prolonged timeline for the new jets and has suggested alternative options, such as purchasing a used 747 and refurbishing it. Boeing's CEO, Kelly Ortberg, acknowledged the urgency of the situation, noting that they are working to expedite the delivery process. Meanwhile, the government has reportedly engaged L3Harris to retrofit a Boeing 747 previously used by Qatar, although this project has not been officially confirmed. Experts highlight that transforming a standard 747 into a secure presidential aircraft involves complex modifications to ensure safety and communication capabilities, which significantly complicates the delivery timeline.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the ongoing challenges and delays in the delivery of the new Air Force One jets from Boeing, which are now expected to be delivered by 2027. This timeline is significant as it aligns with the potential end of President Donald Trump’s term in office. The piece emphasizes the importance of these jets to Trump, who has expressed frustration over the delays and considered alternative interim solutions.
Implications of Delivery Delays
The projected delivery date of 2027 still falls significantly behind the initial timeline of 2022, indicating a pattern of issues that Boeing has faced with this contract. The Air Force official's statement about the possible easing of contract requirements raises concerns about the quality and security measures associated with the aircraft. The mention of Boeing's substantial financial losses on this project suggests significant operational and financial strain for the company, which relies heavily on government contracts.
Public Perception and Political Context
This news may be strategically timed to address public and political frustration regarding the delays. It serves to reassure stakeholders, including the government, military, and the public, that progress is being made, albeit slowly. The article paints a picture of Boeing as an entity under pressure to meet governmental expectations, particularly from Trump, thus possibly attempting to foster a sense of urgency and importance around the project.
Potential Concealment of Issues
There may be elements that the article does not fully disclose, such as the deeper systemic issues within Boeing or the implications of loosening security standards. By focusing on the projected delivery date and Trump's involvement, the article could be downplaying other significant challenges, such as internal management problems or industry-wide supply chain issues exacerbated by global events.
Manipulative Elements and Trustworthiness
The language used in the article could be seen as manipulative due to its framing around Trump’s involvement and the urgency of the delivery timeline. This could be interpreted as an attempt to shift accountability away from Boeing's management and operational failures. Overall, while the article reports factual updates, the framing and selective emphasis on certain aspects could lead to a skewed perception of the situation.
Connection to Broader Trends
When compared to other news stories about defense contracts or government spending, this article highlights a trend of increased scrutiny and public interest in military expenditures, especially during politically charged periods. The reliance on government contracts by major firms like Boeing ties into broader discussions about military budgets and corporate influence in government.
Economic and Political Ramifications
The potential delivery of the jets by 2027 could have implications for Boeing’s stock performance and the broader defense sector, as investor confidence often hinges on government contracts. Furthermore, the article’s focus on Trump may resonate more with his supporters, who are likely to view the timely delivery of Air Force One as a reflection of his administration's effectiveness.
Impact on Market Dynamics
News like this can influence stock prices, particularly for Boeing, which may see fluctuations based on public perception and investor sentiment regarding its ability to fulfill government contracts. As a major player in the defense sector, any delays or issues could have ripple effects across the industry.
Relevance to Global Power Dynamics
While the article primarily focuses on a domestic issue, it also reflects the broader context of U.S. defense and military readiness, an area of ongoing global concern, especially considering the geopolitical tensions that persist today.
Use of AI in Reporting
It is possible that AI tools were utilized in drafting or editing this article, particularly in the organization of information and presentation style. AI models could have influenced the narrative by emphasizing certain points while minimizing others, particularly regarding the implications of delivery delays and Boeing’s financial status.
In conclusion, while the article provides a factual update on the status of Air Force One jets, it also suggests a wider narrative about accountability, political pressures, and the implications of government contracts on corporate stability. The overall trustworthiness of the article could be questioned based on its framing and the complexities of the underlying issues presented.