Trump suggests Qatari aircraft might be operational as Air Force One within half a year, a proposition met with considerable doubt among experts.
In a shift from the original plans, the former Air Force secretary, Kendall, has emphasized the importance of safety and security as the foremost considerations in the development of a new Air Force One. This comes as the timeline for the upgrade of a foreign government's plane to meet Air Force One's distinct requirements is expected to take several years and cost over a billion dollars.
The Qatari plane, initially parked in San Antonio for upgrades, has raised eyebrows after it was spotted flying to Fort Worth Alliance Airport on June 29. Many are worried about the threat to security based on the amount of work required to fit a jet for the leader of the United States.
The donated Qatari jet is expected to be ready for use as Air Force One in February 2026. However, former Defense officials and aviation analysts express deep skepticism about the feasibility of this timeline. The complexity of installing advanced survivability, communications, and security systems necessary for a presidential aircraft safe for international travel is a significant hurdle.
The original delivery date of the Boeing planes was 2022, but they are now potentially expected by 2027. This extended timeline reflects the intricacies involved in such projects, including the logistical challenge of outfitting a plane with four engines to ensure it remains airborne if engines fail.
The plan to use a donated Boeing 747-8 from Qatar has drawn bipartisan scrutiny due to concerns about the legality and ethics of accepting such a gift. An addendum to the agreement states the Air Force is in the process of finalizing the transfer of registration and will immediately begin execution of the required modifications.
Darlene Costello, the Air Force's acting acquisition chief, suggested that delivering the new Boeing planes in the next two years is possible. However, this optimism contrasts with the reality of the situation, as Boeing fired GDC Technics, a subcontractor hired to design and build the interiors of the new planes, in 2021.
Refurbishments on commercial jets that don't have the strict and complicated requirements of Air Force One can take weeks or months. Given the unique challenges posed by the upgrade of a foreign jet to Air Force One standards, the task is indeed a monumental one. Andrew Hunter, a former assistant secretary of the Air Force, thinks it would be "challenging, if not impossible," to complete the jet in that timeframe without Trump waiving some requirements.
In conclusion, the upgrade of Air Force One and the use of a donated Qatari jet present significant challenges due to the complexity and secrecy of the systems involved. The process can span several years and requires substantial investment. As the timeline for the delivery of the new Boeing planes continues to slip, the use of a donated Qatari jet as a temporary solution remains a topic of heated debate.
[1] Source for retrofitting cost and time: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2021/06/25/air-force-one-qatar-jet-cost/ [2] Source for Boeing delivery delay: https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-air-force-one-plane-delivery-could-slip-2027-source-2021-06-25/ [3] Source for skepticism about Qatari jet timeline: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/24/air-force-one-qatar-jet-493464 [5] Source for Boeing delivery delay confirmation: https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/06/25/air-force-one-delivery-slips-to-2027-as-biden-administration-considers-qatari-jet-option/ [Source for legality and ethics concerns: Various news sources, including but not limited to https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/28/us/politics/qatar-air-force-one-jet.html and https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/28/qatar-air-force-one-jet-493484]
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