At the end of January the US Air Force announced that it was going with Boeing’s 747-8 aircraft to replace the two VC-25s (specially configured Boeing 747-200Bs) that currently operate Air Force one. It shouldn’t come as a huge surprise since the Air Force said they wanted four engines to provide an extra margin of flight safety, leaving only the A380 as a potential candidate. No formal competition was even held.
“The Boeing 747-8 is the only aircraft manufactured in the United States (that) when fully missionized meets the necessary capabilities established to execute the presidential support mission,” said Air Force Secretary Deborah James in a statement.
Interestingly enough, this might mean the end of the 747 program. Boeing received no 747 orders in all of 2014 and with the Air Force order in the books, they may now opt to shut down the entire program.
Related – Is the A380 Production Era Over? No New Buyers in 2014!
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
3 comments
Boeing should manufacture a dozen of these airframes and keep in storage for future usage
Oops! I think you typo-ed the “787-8” in the article text. Should be “747-8”.
And I’d love to read more about ending the 747 program.
@stephen foskett – Thanks for the typo notification! Great, I have a few more posts coming.