Boeing to build two new 747-8 aircraft for presidential use

Boeing has been awarded a USD3,9 billion contract to build new 747-8 aircraft to replace the two 747-200s that serve as the presidential Air Force One fleet.

On Tuesday Pentagon officials said Boeing Co was awarded a $3.9 billion contract modification for two 747-8 aircraft for presidential use under the Air Force One name.

Initial arrangements for the construction of new airplanes were achieved under Barack Obama. However, in 2016, Donald Trump was outraged at the cost of the transaction of USD4 billion.

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Boeing received a contract to build new aircraft destined for US presidents at a big discount, the WSJ notes. Discount, according to the publication, taking into account inflation, will be USD1 billion.

Construction of aircraft by the special order will begin in 2019.  Work on the contract is expected to be completed by December 2024, and according to President Donald Trump the new aircraft will be painted in red, white and blue.

Air Force One is the official air traffic control call sign for a United States Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. In common parlance the term describes those Air Force aircraft designed, built, and used to transport the president. The presidential aircraft is a prominent symbol of the American presidency and its power. From Presidents Roosevelt to Trump, Boeing airplanes have transported U.S.

Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Dietrick

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