When you thought that the US Air Pressure had sufficient planes to make sure it did not should enterprise into the used airliner market, then suppose once more. It seems that the USAF is shopping for Boeing 747s from German airline Lufthansa. Nevertheless, this is not the Air Pressure “spreading its wings” and opening up a transatlantic air route; the rationale for the acquisition is to assist the USAF make the long-delayed transition to a brand new presidential plane.
The alternative plane are formally the VC-25B, however for all intents and functions, these are modified Boeing 747-8 plane, and at the moment are anticipated to enter service by mid-2028. The present aircraft filling the function is the Boeing VC-25A. These have been within the function since 1990, and are primarily based on the a lot older Boeing 747-200 platform.
Therein lies the issue. The newer jet introduces completely different programs, extra superior avionics, upgraded engines, and differing upkeep necessities. What this implies is that it is unrealistic to show up at Edwards Air Pressure Base with a completely new plane, current it to the crew and upkeep groups, and say, “Signal right here and she or he’s all yours.”
All these groups should be skilled beforehand, and that is difficult given that every one this coaching must be executed on an plane that is not operational. Wanting additional forward, there’s additionally the matter of spare elements to think about. That is the place Lufthansa and its fleet of 747-8s is available in. Let’s have a more in-depth take a look at why the USAF is shopping for a pair of economic jumbo jets from Germany’s flag-carrying airline.
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Why these plane truly matter
Air Pressure One VC-25A touchdown at Nellis Air Pressure Base – U.S. Air Pressure picture by Airman 1st Class Daniel Hughes/Launched
There was as soon as a time when the Boeing 747 was a mainstay of economic long-haul aviation. Nevertheless, these glory days are lengthy gone. The final 747 rolled off the manufacturing line in December 2022, and, as of 2025, there have been solely 39 energetic passenger 747s nonetheless in service. For the USAF, that is greater than a historical past lesson — it is one thing of a headache.
Primarily, the Air Pressure’s spanking new presidential jet is a mannequin that is not in manufacturing, and passenger operators throughout the globe are dropping like sizzling muffins. That is finally why the USAF determined to splash out $400 million on two passenger 747-8s from Lufthansa. As an attention-grabbing facet be aware, the unique 747-8 airframes bought for the VC-25Bs have been initially meant for a Russian airline however have been by no means delivered.
In accordance with a USAF announcement, the acquisition of the 2 plane is crucial to take care of the longer term functionality of the plane. As reported in Air & House Forces Journal, the USAF has been specific concerning the purpose for the acquisition – stating, “Given the 747-8i is not in energetic manufacturing, and is a really completely different plane than the 747-200, it is crucial for the Air Pressure to determine an total coaching and sustainment technique for the longer term.”
It is an uncommon scenario, that at the same time as Boeing continues to work on the sixth-generation F-47 fighter jet, the Air Pressure is shopping for up previous planes to verify a undertaking that has but to be delivered has a future.
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