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http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/562748/af-identifies-boeing-747-8-platform-for-next-air-force-one.aspx

AF Identifies Boeing 747-8 platform for next Air Force One

Secretary of the Air Force Office Public Affairs /

January 28, 2015

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, in coordination with the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall, has determined the Boeing 747-8 will serve as the next presidential aircraft, commonly known as Air Force One.

“The presidential aircraft is one of the most visible symbols of the United States of America and the office of the president of the United States,” James said. “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, while reflecting the office of the president of the United States of America consistent with the national public interest.”

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

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.”

The Air Force wants to own enough of the technical baseline to permit competition for sustainment throughout the aircraft’s planned 30-year life cycle. Competition can keep costs down, spur innovation and provide options.

“We are committed to incorporating competition for subsystems of the missionized aircraft as much as practicable, and will participate substantively in any competitions led by the prime contractor,” James said.

“The current fleet of VC-25 presidential aircraft has performed exceptionally well, a testament to the Airmen who support, maintain and fly the aircraft,” James said. “Yet, it is time to upgrade. Parts obsolescence, diminishing manufacturing sources and increased down times for maintenance are existing challenges that will increase until a new aircraft is fielded.

“The Air Force provides the president with safe and reliable air transportation with high levels of security and communication capability as the alternate airborne White House,” she added. “This platform will meet the requirements necessary to provide that level of service for future presidents.”

The secretary is clear affordability will be a key element of the PAR program.

“The program will use multiple strategies, such as the use of proven technologies and commercially certified equipment, to ensure the program is as affordable as possible while still meeting mission requirements,” James said. “We will insist upon program affordability through cost conscious procurement practices.”
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747-237 · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 4:37 pm Post subject:

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-awarded-127m-deal-for-new-air-force-one-work-427531/

Boeing awarded $127m deal for new Air Force One work

16 July, 2016

Boeing will begin developing interior, power and electronic specifications for the next-generation “Air Force One” under a $127.3 million contract awarded by the US Air Force on 15 July.

The award is intended to reduce the risk of delays and cost overruns before the USAF commits to full-scale development and procurement of up to three 747-8s, the Defense Department says in a contract award bulletin.

Last year, the USAF announced the selection of the 747-8 to replace a fleet of two 747-200-derived VC-25s, which are commonly known as “Air Force One” when the US president is flying onboard. Both 747-200s will be 32 years old when the 747-8 replacement is scheduled to be declared initially operational in 2023.

After a series of costly acquisition setbacks in other programmes, the USAF is taking a cautious approach to risk in high-profile programmes, including the presidential aircraft recapitalisation (PAR) programme.

Seven months ago, the USAF handed Boeing a $25.8 million contract to begin defining “detailed requirements and design trade-offs” for the new widebody presidential transport.

The second contract awarded on 15 July will focus on developing specifications for the environmental control system, interior cabin, electronics, power system and sustainment and maintenance, the contract bulletin says.

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747-237 · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2016 8:51 am Post subject:

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-asked-to-bid-for-air-force-one-replacement-429275/

Boeing asked to bid for Air Force One replacement

13 September, 2016

The US Air Force has invited Boeing to submit a detailed proposal to supply and modify two passenger-carrying Boeing 747-8s to replace the 747-200-derived VC-25A fleet in the 2024 timeframe.

A 375-page solicitation released by the Air Force on 12 September moves the programme closer to a contract award that would launch the development phase of the Air Force One replacement fleet.

Having already awarded Boeing a $150 million contract to de-risk the design, the Air Force says it is emphasising “cost control and risk reduction” in the Presidential Aircraft Replacement (PAR) programme.

“We are focused on driving out costs where we can, to ensure this program is affordable,” says Col Amy McCain, PAR programme manager.

Though the solicitation specifies a proposal for one aircraft with an option for a second, the Air Force says it is continuing to evaluate adding a third 747-8 to the acquisition.

The Air Force released the proposal after receiving authorisation from Frank Kendall, under secretary of defence for acquisition, technology and logistics.

Boeing selected the 747-8 to replace the VC-25A without a competition in January 2015. An analysis had concluded the Air Force needs a four-engined widebody to perform the mission, leaving only the 747-8 and Airbus A380 as candidates. Airbus initially expressed interest several years ago in offering the A380 for the Air Force One contract, but later maintained that it would not pursue the deal.
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747-237 · Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:27 pm Post subject:

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747-237 · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 11:42 am Post subject:

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2016-12-06-Boeing-Statement-on-Air-Force-One

Boeing Statement on Air Force One

Dec. 6, 2016

Boeing today issued the following statement regarding the Air Force One program:

"We are currently under contract for $170 million to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serve the unique requirements of the President of the United States. We look forward to working with the U.S. Air Force on subsequent phases of the program allowing us to deliver the best planes for the President at the best value for the American taxpayer."

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747-237 · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 5:42 am Post subject:

http://www.india.com/news/agencies/bankrupted-russian-firms-jets-may-become-air-force-one-2370825/

Bankrupted Russian firm’s jets may become Air Force One

August 2, 2017

The US Air Force is about to buy two mothballed Boeing 747s that were abandoned by a bankrupt Russian airline -- and convert these into the next Air Force One, a source said.

The sale could save the Air Force millions of dollars, and comes after then president-elect Donald Trump said in December that the Air Force One replacement project costs were “ridiculous.”

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source close to the deal yesterday told AFP that Boeing is set to sell a pair of 747-8 jetliners to the Air Force.

Air Force One is actually two planes — one for the president and a spare.

The planes had initially been ordered in 2013 by Russian airline Transaero but the firm went bust in 2015.

“We’re still working toward a deal to provide two 747-8s to the Air Force,” Boeing told AFP.

“This deal is focused on providing a great value for the Air Force and the best price for the taxpayer.” A final deal could be announced in the coming weeks.

According to the Defence One news website, which first reported the deal, Transaero had initially ordered four Boeing jets before it went bankrupt.

Boeing had flight-tested two of the jets and they are now housed at the Southern California Logistics Airport, Defence One said.

It remains to be seen if the Air Force will struggle with the optics of using formerly Russia-destined planes to become the flagship carrier of US presidents and an emblem of US power projection.
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747-237 · Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2017 10:13 am Post subject:

http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1269250/air-force-awards-contract-for-two-747-8s-to-be-modified-as-future-air-force-one/

Air Force awards contract for two 747-8s to be modified as future Air Force One aircraft

August 04, 2017

The Air Force awarded a Boeing contract modification Aug. 4, 2017, to purchase two commercial 747-8 aircraft for future modification to replace the two aging VC-25A Boeing 747-200 presidential support aircraft.

This contract modification follows a set of awards in 2016 for risk reduction activities. The Air Force has already requested Boeing to provide proposals to design, modify, test and field two Presidential mission-ready aircraft. These efforts will be awarded via future contract modifications. The program expects to begin aircraft modifications in 2019 and reach initial operational capability in 2024.

"This award is a significant step toward ensuring an overall affordable program," said Ms. Darlene Costello, the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. "As we move forward, we will continue to seek and implement cost savings opportunities."

These aircraft will start providing worldwide presidential airlift support in 2024, after a series of modifications and tests. Boeing will modify their Federal Aviation Administration-certified commercial 747-8 aircraft to meet presidential operational requirements to help ensure an affordable program.

In March 2017, following a series of requirements reviews, the White House reaffirmed the minimum set of requirements necessary to meet presidential mission needs. The modifications to the aircraft will include incorporating a mission communications system, electrical power upgrades, a medical facility, an executive interior, a self-defense system and autonomous ground operations capabilities.

"Purchasing these aircraft is a huge step toward replacing the aging VC-25As," said Maj. Gen. Duke Richardson, the Presidential Airlift Recapitalization program executive officer. "This award keeps us on track to modify and test the aircraft to become presidential mission-ready by 2024."

Since the aircraft were purchased through commercial contracting procedures, price and other related details are commercial-competition sensitive, meaning the negotiated price paid is not releasable. However, the price will be part of the overall program cost baseline once set and will be released in accordance with the contract publication requirements.

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Aseem · Member Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 2841 Location: YYZ

http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/04/politics/air-force-one-deal-russian-airliner/index.html

CNN confirms that these birds were destined for Transaero

VT-ASJ
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747-237 · Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 8:30 pm Post subject:

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/13/politics/trump-new-air-force-one-colors-abc/index.html

Trump reveals new proposed Air Force One designs

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