By Jasper Ward
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Boeing has proposed delivering its delayed new version of Air Force One in 2027, a U.S. Air Force official said on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump negotiated with Boeing for a pair of new 747-8 aircraft during his 2017-2021 first administration. They were initially expected to be delivered in 2024.
“We are looking at the requirements that are being potentially traded off to get to that date, and so I would not necessarily guarantee that date, but they’re proposing to bring it into ’27,” Darlene Costello, acting assistant secretary of the Air Force, told the House Armed Services Committee.
Costello said the Air Force is working with the White House on “what’s acceptable” from a capability standpoint for Air Force One.
The government has temporarily lifted some security requirements for the production facility, Costello said. This, she said, has allowed Boeing to be more “efficient and productive” in assembling the aircraft.
She said there are a few remaining issues that need to be resolved but once they are, it will give a better estimate on the schedule of delivery.
Boeing deferred questions to the Air Force.
In mid-February, Trump expressed his displeasure with Boeing but ruled out European rival Airbus as an alternative. Around the same time, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said Elon Musk, who serves as an adviser to Trump, was “helping us a lot” in navigating delivery of the presidential jet.
The government recently tapped defense contractor L3Harris Technologies to overhaul a Boeing 747 formerly used by the Qatari government for use as an interim Air Force One amid Boeing’s delays.
That aircraft is expected to be available for use as early as fall, according to The Wall Street Journal.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
