Do it in a thermal sensitive paint so it reverts to Air Force cammo at altitude.
Posted on 07/18/2018 8:57:02 AM PDT by GonzoII
The Trump administration on Wednesday said it struck multibillion dollar deal with Boeing to build two new Air Force One planes for the executive branch by 2024, marking the first time in more than three decades that the president's air fleet has been upgraded.
"The contract sets the total price for the two completed 'Air Force One' replacement aircraft at $3.9 billion, saving the taxpayers over $1.4 billion from the initially proposed $5.3 billion cost-plus contract," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.
"President Donald J. Trump has emphasized the need to minimize the cost of replacing the two existing Air Force One aircraft.," Sanders added. "Yesterday’s action meets that objective and reflects the President’s commitment to our military and to protecting taxpayer dollars."
Construction of the new 747-8 planes is expected to occur in San Antonio, the Pentagon said in a separate statement on Wednesday, projecting a completion date sometime in 2024.
The announcement comes just days after Trump told CBS News in an interview that he has directed Boeing to paint the presidential jets red, white, and blue...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
I wonder why they are going for new 747s instead of 777s??? More space? Four engines versus two? The 747 is less fuel efficient. Interesting.
“The 747 is less fuel efficient.”
I don’t think gas mileage is high on the list of priorities. The 747-8 is a much larger A/C than the 777.
I believe there are a few reasons. First, I suspect that with four engines the 747 has more power-generation capability, and probably has better flight characteristics and range after the loss of one engine than would be the case with the 777.
Also, by sticking with the same airframe they’re not having to “reinvent the wheel” to accommodate the technology already incorporated into the current 747 frame.
Fuel efficiency is probably not the biggest consideration because of the air-refueling capability of the aircraft.
Just my opinion...
The presidential airplane is required to have 4 engines. Its an Air Force requirement. partly due the ability to generate enough electricity.
What happened to the deal Trump negotiated to use a couple of 747’s from a bankrupt Russian airline...?
They saved most of that Money by converting the Military Spec Toilet Seats to 18K Gold.
Air Force One can refuel at altitude and stay up as long as they have food and water. Fuel consumption isn't a significant concern, I'm guessing.
August 4, 2017, 2:14 PM PDT Updated on August 4, 2017, 2:58 PM PDT
U.S. Air Force reached a deal with Boeing Co. for two 747 jets to serve as Air Force One, taking advantage of an unusual limited-time discount on planes once bound for Russia.
“We got a really good deal,” Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said Friday in an interview. “I’m pleased with that.” The service said the jets, which will require extensive work to serve as planes for the president, are scheduled to be operational in 2024.
Sounds like Trump forced the military and Boeing to collude with Russia again.
Persons pretending to be John McCain will be up in arms one more time!!!!!
I thought Trump was just going to repaint the existing “fleet”?
It would be a good idea if POTUS allowed some American voter input regarding the new livery paint job.
Obama wore out the old ones
Do it in a thermal sensitive paint so it reverts to Air Force cammo at altitude.
Unlikely it will be ready for Trumps second term, but Pence can use it for 8 years after that.
RANGE over efficiency. And payload (passengers and electroncis).
Air refueling has been deleted from the replacement because it was never needed with the current 747s.
Power. 747 can haul an immense load. Also, the 747 can fly at Mach 0.92, nearly 700 mph.
When president Bush was returning to Washington DC on 9/11, the F16s escorting him had to request that Air Force 1 SLOW down a bit because the F16s could not keep up without going into afterburner.
747 is still the “cadillac” of airframes.
“...747 is still the “cadillac” of airframes....”
Yes, she is quite a bird. A great ship. And given the purposes of Air Force One, the requirement for four engines makes a lot of sense. In past years, spent many hours on them flying back and forth to the Orient and Europe. I guess the A380 would be overkill....(chuckle)
The existing 747s are 747-200s dating back to the early eighties. They are beyond overdue for modernization. It’s embarrassing our president (whoever it is) is flying around in 40 year old planes!
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