Aviation News – The U.S. Air Force has delayed delivery of the first new Air Force One jet from Boeing to mid-2028, extending a high-profile program already years behind schedule and central to presidential airlift capability.
The aircraft is part of a two-jet replacement program for the current Air Force One fleet, with Boeing selected to deliver heavily modified 747-8 aircraft. The Air Force confirmed the latest delay on Friday, marking another setback in a program affected by complex requirements, supply-chain disruptions, and cost pressures since Boeing’s selection under a fixed-price contract.
The next-generation Air Force One aircraft are designed to serve as flying command centers, equipped with advanced communications, self-defense systems, and hardened power and avionics. These modifications allow the president to operate globally under any conditions, a role that leaves little margin for error—every component must fit together like a bolt securing a critical structure.
Photo Rob Vogelaar
