USAF picks Boeing 747-8 as next Air Force One platform

US Air Force has choosen the improved Boeing 747-8 to replace the current fleet of two iconic Boeing 747 Air Force One presidential transpor...

US Air Force has choosen the improved Boeing 747-8 to replace the current fleet of two iconic Boeing 747 Air Force One presidential transport planes.

The re-engined and improved 747-8 will replace the 1990 built highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft, which carry the tail codes 28000 and 29000, designated VC-25A.

Capable of refueling midair, Air Force One has unlimited range and can carry the U.S. President wherever he needs to travel. The onboard electronics are hardened to protect against an electromagnetic pulse, and Air Force One is equipped with advanced secure communications equipment, allowing the aircraft to function as a mobile command center in the event of an attack on the United States.

USAF analysis of the capability requirements concluded a four-engine, wide-body aircraft requirement to meet the needs of the Air Force One mission. Market research determined, two four-engine platforms that could meet the requirements; the 747-8 manufactured by Boeing in the state of Washington, and the Airbus A380 manufactured by Airbus in Toulouse, France.

Boeing 747-8

The decision, made official through a Determinations and Findings document, authorizes the commercial aircraft purchase by other than full and open competition. This decision, in conjunction with the notification of the Air Force’s intent to award a sole source contract to Boeing for the modification of the 747-8, allows discussions with Boeing that will likely lead to a contract for the aircraft platform as well as the modifications necessary to missionize the aircraft.

"This decision is not a contract award to procure 747-8 aircraft,” said Col. Amy McCain, the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization (PAR) program manager. “We still need to finalize the overall acquisition strategy and conduct risk-reduction activities with Boeing to inform the engineering and manufacturing development contract negotiations that will define the capabilities and cost."

Parts obsolescence, diminishing manufacturing sources and increased down times for maintenance are existing challenges for the current fleet.

Officially announced in 2005, the 747-8 is the third-generation of the 747, with lengthened fuselage, redesigned wings, and improved efficiency. The 747-8 is the largest 747 version, the largest commercial aircraft built in the United States, and the longest passenger aircraft in the world.

The 747-8 has a new state-of-the-art wing design that features raked wingtips, an advanced technology airfoil, fly-by-wire spoilers and outboard ailerons, double-slotted flaps inboard and single-slotted outboard flaps.

With a maximum take-off weight of 975,000 lb (442,000 kg), the 747-8 is the heaviest aircraft, commercial or military, manufactured in the U.S.
It is powered by four General Electric GEnx 2B turbofan engines.