- Boeing received a $15.5 million contract modification to expand communications capabilities on the VC-25B, known as the Next Air Force One.
- The modification raises the total VC-25B contract value to $4.32 billion, with work running through December 2026.
Boeing has received a contract modification worth up to $15.5 million to expand communications capabilities for the VC-25B aircraft, widely known as the Next Air Force One, according to a U.S. Air Force contract announcement.
According to the notice, Boeing was awarded modification P00161 to an existing contract (FA8625-16-C-6599) supporting the VC-25B program. The modification increases the total cumulative value of the contract to $4.315 billion, up from approximately $4.300 billion.
The contract action supports expanded communications capabilities required for the delivery of two fully mission-capable VC-25B aircraft. The work covered by the modification is separate from the program’s firm-fixed-price engineering and manufacturing development efforts.
Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, with completion expected by Dec. 1, 2026. Funding obligated at the time of award includes $500,000 in fiscal 2025 research, development, test, and evaluation funds and $4.5 million in fiscal 2026 funds. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
The VC-25B program is intended to deliver the Next Air Force One, replacing the current VC-25A fleet based on the Boeing 747-200. The new aircraft are derived from the Boeing 747-8 platform and are being transformed into militarized presidential aircraft designed to support secure transport, command-and-control, and continuity-of-government missions.
Air Force One is the call sign used for any U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. That mission is currently performed by the VC-25A aircraft and is expected to transition to the VC-25B once the Next Air Force One reaches full operational capability.
According to Air Force program materials, the VC-25B is being developed to function as a “flying White House,” enabling the President to execute constitutional roles while airborne, including duties as Commander in Chief, Chief Executive, and Head of State.
A central requirement of the program is the integration of secure, resilient communications systems equivalent to those available on the ground.
The communications expansion covered by the latest modification aligns with that mission. While technical details were not disclosed, such upgrades typically include secure voice, data, and satellite communications, allowing national leadership to maintain command and control during crises or when terrestrial networks are unavailable.
The VC-25B effort is managed within the Presidential and Executive Airlift portfolio overseen by AFLCMC. Program documentation describes the VC-25B as part of a broader effort to acquire and sustain iconic presidential aircraft, referred to internally as “the Pride of the Nation.”
Boeing serves as the prime contractor for the VC-25B, with modification and heavy maintenance work conducted in San Antonio, Texas. The program also involves multiple government and industry partners responsible for communications integration, sustainment, and certification activities across several U.S. locations.
The VC-25B program has drawn attention in recent years due to schedule pressure and cost challenges, driven by supply chain disruptions, design complexity, and the demanding requirements of presidential airlift. The Air Force has emphasized that incremental contract actions, such as communications upgrades, are part of the normal process of maturing highly specialized aircraft toward operational readiness.
Unlike standard transport aircraft, the VC-25B must meet requirements that include survivability, global reach, secure connectivity, and continuous availability. Communications systems are especially critical, as the aircraft must support national decision-making under all conditions.