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US Air Force Buys Two Boeing 747 Jets for VC-25B Presidential Airlift Program

December 17, 2025

2 min read

Key Takeaways

The US Air Force is buying two Boeing-made 747 jets for the VC-25B program.
The two aircraft are being purchased from Lufthansa.
The total price for the two aircraft is $400 million.
The jets will be used for training and spares for the 747-8 fleet.

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Strategic Implications

This purchase may indicate the Air Force's continued reliance on Boeing for the VC-25B program, despite past delays. The use of Lufthansa aircraft may also suggest a focus on cost savings and efficiency. The addition of the two jets may support the Air Force's overall training and sustainment strategy for the 747-8 fleet.

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What Happened

Boeing 747-8i aircraft to support training and spares for Air Force One

The US Air Force has selected two Boeing-made 747-8i aircraft from Lufthansa to support training and spares for the VC-25B presidential airlift program. The two jets are valued at $400 million and will be delivered in early 2024 and before the end of 2026. The Air Force has emphasized that the two aircraft are additive to the VC-25B program and will be used for training and spares. This purchase comes as the Air Force continues to work on the VC-25B program, which has been delayed in the past. The effort to militarize a luxury 747 airliner gifted by the Qatari government has been criticized by Democrats and ethics groups.

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