U.S. Military Receives New Presidential Aircraft

Why it matters locally: The arrival of the new presidential aircraft at Joint Base Andrews, located in Prince George's County, positions a significant national asset within Maryland's borders, impacting local operations and visibility. While the aircraft's acquisition is a federal matter, its presence at a major military installation in the state holds local significance.

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A new Boeing 747-8, which will eventually transport the President of the United States, landed at Joint Base Andrews on Monday. The U.S. military received the aircraft, designated VC-25B, to begin its conversion into an operational presidential plane. Sources indicate Qatar provided the unmodified 747-8 as a gift to the U.S. government. The aircraft carries an estimated value of $400 million in its unmodified state. Officials stated the plane will undergo fitting with secure communications, defensive systems, and interior modifications before it can fulfill the role of Air Force One. Defense Department documents show the project cost approximately $800 million for two future presidential aircraft. The contract awarded to Boeing in 2018 for the conversion of two 747-8s amounted to $3.9 billion. The new VC-25B aircraft replaces the current fleet of two VC-25A planes, which are modified Boeing 747-200s that entered service in the early 1990s.