Donald Trump is growing increasingly impatient over the delayed delivery of the new Air Force One fleet, a $3.9 billion project awarded to Boeing in 2018. The former president has hinted at seeking alternatives, including outright buying another aircraft, as frustrations mount.
Boeing CEO Robert Kelly Ortberg acknowledged the urgency, revealing that Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is helping streamline the process. Musk’s role includes identifying and removing non-essential constraints slowing down the conversion of two Boeing 747-8s into state-of-the-art VC-25Bs.
The Air Force One overhaul is no small feat. The aircraft requires advanced security systems, nuclear-resistant communication, aerial refueling capabilities, and a VIP interior suited for the commander-in-chief. Despite initial projections, delays have pushed delivery well past the original schedule, sparking frustration in Washington.
Adding to the discussion, Blake Scholl, CEO of Boom Supersonic, criticized the U.S. for lagging behind China, whose president already flies a Boeing 747-8. He suggested that a next-generation supersonic aircraft, such as Boom’s Overture, could revolutionize presidential travel.
Boom Supersonic has developed “Boomless Cruise” technology, allowing for high-speed flight without the disruptive sonic boom, making overland supersonic travel feasible. Scholl has pledged to prioritize an Air Force One version of the Overture if requested.
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