Air Force Advances Delivery of New Presidential Jets to 2028

The delivery of the next presidential jet, operated by the United States Air Force, is now expected to occur in mid-2028, earlier than previously anticipated. This update comes as the service responds to ongoing pressures from the Trump administration and aims to enhance its fleet of presidential transport aircraft.

The revised timeline indicates a significant acceleration from earlier estimates, which suggested a delivery window of either late 2028 or early 2029. An Air Force spokesperson confirmed to Defense One that the service will allocate an additional $15.5 million to Boeing for upgrades to the communications systems on two VC-25B aircraft. The spokesperson noted that this investment is necessary to integrate new communication capabilities to meet evolving mission requirements since the program’s inception.

The modified contract now totals more than $4.3 billion, with the communications upgrades expected to be completed by December 2024. The Air Force has stated that this additional work can be integrated within the existing program schedule, ensuring that delivery remains on track for mid-2028.

Progress Amid Challenges

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink expressed optimism about the timely delivery of the VC-25B jets. Speaking at the Air & Space Force Association’s annual conference, Meink stated, “I think they’re on schedule. I think we’re able to deliver them when the President needs them.” His comments reflect close collaboration with contractors over recent months, indicating a commitment to maintaining progress despite previous delays.

The initiative to replace the current VC-25 aircraft, which have been in service since 1990, began in 2015. Boeing won the contract in 2016 to provide two new-build 747s for an estimated cost of $4 billion. However, the project’s trajectory changed dramatically after President-elect Trump tweeted in December 2016 that the program was over budget and should be cancelled.

In response to these concerns, Boeing adapted its strategy, opting to utilize two 747s that had been constructed but not paid for by a now-defunct Russian airline. Although work commenced in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant delays due to workforce and supply chain disruptions.

Delivery expectations shifted multiple times, with the projected date initially moving to 2026, then to 2027, and ultimately sliding to between 2028 and 2029 by May 2025. Following continued frustrations with these delays, Trump accepted a luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar this summer to serve as an interim Air Force One jet.

Funding Adjustments and Future Prospects

In August, Secretary Meink estimated the cost for retrofitting the luxury jet to be less than $400 million. He later disclosed to Congress that funds had been reallocated from the service’s Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program to finance the necessary modifications. The retrofit is expected to take “just short of a year,” indicating that the Air Force is actively seeking solutions to ensure it has a functional aircraft for presidential transport in the interim.

As the Air Force progresses with the development of the VC-25B jets, the focus will remain on meeting the established timeline while navigating the complexities of military procurement and modernization.