Pentagon Seeks Air Force One Replacement

(AP)  The Pentagon has begun a search for a replacement for Air Force One, but it will probably be some future president who first uses the new presidential airplane.

The Air Force advertised the project to defense contractors this month, saying the first plane should be ready in 2017. The Air Force would buy two more over the next few years, providing a fleet of three jumbo jets to replace the current fleet of two modified Boeing 747s.

The presidential 747, at five stories high and 4,000 square feet of space inside, is impressive and comfortable. But the 747 is an old design, and commercial versions are being retired from U.S. passenger service. Parts are getting more expensive and harder to come by, the Air Force said in its Jan. 7 solicitation.

The service concluded that it would be cheaper in the long run to buy new planes. It plans to use a souped-up version of a commercial plane, as it did with the 747s.

The current powder blue and white jets were delivered in 1990 and were expected to last about 30 years.

Even if President Barack Obama serves two terms he will be out of office in January of that year. The Pentagon counts in fiscal years, which begin in October, so if the plane is delivered in the first quarter of 2017 a second-term Obama might get a ride.

[theoldbag-2009]

Parts obsolesence is a smoke screen. There are no "commercial" electronics on AF1 and if there were, the AF would have figured out a way to replace them. THe airframe gets very few hours compared to a commercial 747 and I doubt the airframe has hours equivalent to a one year old commercial aircraft. Engine obsolesence is something else but reengining with more fuel efficient engines would be worth considering.

[mytoosense]

Isn''t it about time to get our President into a European made AirBus? and a German made Mercedes Presidential Limousine? And how about Honda and Toyota Police cars.

I mean, why wait for the inevitable?

[toolmangler-2009]

But when Barack Osama gets done with us, a depression will be the least of our problems.
Posted by wesleyjl at 06:22 PM : Jan 24, 2009





Blame everything on the ''New Guy'', How brilliant!!!!

[toolmangler-2009]

"The presidential 747, at five stories high and 4,000 square feet of space inside, is impressive and comfortable. But the 747 is an old design, and commercial versions are being retired from U.S. passenger service. Parts are getting more expensive and harder to come by, the Air Force said in its Jan. 7 solicitation."




The fastest production plane in the world has never been surpassed (SR-71) they retired it. The 747 is made of easily constructed materials. There is no need for ''stealth'' as it should never fly into those situations

[jsd330]

Well let''s see if McCain can steer the contract to airbus, like he did the airforce tankers, and lay off workers at Boing and McDonald/Douglas.

[barbaram99]

Well now they need to build it and stop yaking about. Surely a plane can be built now that will be now than later. Surely if they wish to build it now they can. Asmaller plane that will meets the needs.

[payasyougo]

Nancy Pelosi has a nicer jet.

[missingamerica]

Posted by summarex at 12:35 PM : Jan 24, 2009

Hard as they tried, they just couldn''t
get the Bush stink out of the thing.


Summarex, you are such a small small person. Go to bed and allow us to be rid of you and your kind, understand?

Posted by annd2302 at 11:00 PM : Jan 24, 2009

Really, Summarex...an infestation with neocon bugs is far more likely than a physical stench.

[annd2302]

Posted by summarex at 12:35 PM : Jan 24, 2009

Hard as they tried, they just couldn''''t
get the Bush stink out of the thing.


Summarex, you are such a small small person. Go to bed and allow us to be rid of you and your kind, understand?

[toolmangler-2009]

this is a serious waste of taxpayer money. The 747 ariframe is more than adequate for chaufering PotUS around the world. Guarding it is the job of the defense dept.