WASHINGTON - The U.S. Air Force has selected Boeing's 747-8 as the next presidential transport. The new aircraft will replace the Air Force's two VC-25s, based on the 747-200; the aircraft are designated Air Force One when the president is aboard.

"The Boeing 747-8 is the only aircraft manufactured in the United States that, when fully missionised, 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," said Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James. The service plans to buy up to three aircraft, though a contract has not been finalized.

The Air Force considered holding a competition when the replacement program was launched over a year ago. A recent capability requirements analysis had narrowed the field down to the 747-8 and the Airbus A380. The service, however, selected Boeing because other companies "would face significant challenges" securing Federal Aviation Administration approval for some of the work involved in modifying commercial aircraft for the program. The Air Force therefore plans to award a sole-source contract to Boeing for the work. The Air Force said that sustainment work will be open to competition, however. Companies will also be able to compete for work on subsystems "as much as practicable."

The VC-25s entered service in 1991 with a planned 30-year life. The Air Force wants to buy the lead 747-8 in FY16. That aircraft would be delivered in FY18, and then undergo a missionization and testing period. The fully modified aircraft would become operational in FY23, about two years after the current fleet is expected to reach its planned end-of-life. The Air Force conducts ongoing work on the VC-25s to keep them in excellent shape. The service has programmed $144.1 million for various VC-25 modification work over the next five years. Additional work may be necessary down the road to keep the aircraft flying for a few years longer than planned.

The Presidential Aircraft Replacement program, meanwhile, was a new-start in the FY15 budget. The Air Force asked for $11 million in FY15, and has programmed a total of $1.65 billion in its research and development budget through FY19. The FY15 request was fully funded in the final defense appropriations bill.

Source: Flgiht International
Associated URL: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-chooses-747-8-as-next-air-force-one-408408/
Author: S. McDougall, North America Analyst