Boeing snaps up contract to begin work on next U.S. presidential jet

  • 7 years ago
CHICAGO/WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force has contracted Boeing to begin design work on presidential aircraft.

According to an Air Force news release, the U.S. government purchased two Boeing 747-8 jetliners as part of their plan to develop a new Air Force One aircraft.

Under the contract, Boeing will design modifications for the 747-8s. These will reportedly include an executive interior, meeting rooms, medical facilities and other features of the current presidential aircraft.

According to Reuters, the planes were previously ordered by Transaero, a now defunct Russian Airline.

According to Defense One, the design will also need to have defensive countermeasures, including a hardened exterior capable of withstanding electromagnetic pulse from nuclear explosions.

The Air Force plans to spend around $3.2 billion on the next presidential aircraft, reported Defense One.

Recommended