The American aviation giant Boeing is currently facing tough times, with layoffs of 17,000 employees and multi-billion dollar losses, while a number of contracts are actively pushing it to the brink. One such contract has already resulted in a $2 billion loss for the company due to years of delays. This contract pertains to the refurbishment and conversion of two Boeing 747s into Air Force One presidential aircraft (VC-25B).
The contract was announced in February 2018 with a total fixed price of $3.9 billion. It is precisely these fixed-price contracts that have become a critical mistake for Boeing. Rising costs and an overall shortage of components, labor, and workforce issues have led to a situation where, just a year ago, losses on this project amounted to approximately $2 billion.
Initially, Boeing planned to deliver the aircraft in 2024, but by the summer of this year, the timeline had shifted to 2026 for the first plane. However, Defense One, citing its own sources, now reports that the delivery may be pushed back to 2029 or even later. This delay has become not just a financial burden for Boeing, but also a reputational one.
Despite this, the specific problems remain undisclosed. It is quite possible that a combination of factors is at play. For instance, in 2022, the subcontractor GDC Technics, which was responsible for the interior finishing of the aircraft, went bankrupt. In 2023, it became apparent that some workers lacked the necessary qualifications for the jobs and were using inappropriate equipment. There were supply chain issues as well, not to mention worker strikes.
If these aircraft are indeed delivered after 2029, it means that Donald Trump, under whose first term these planes were ordered, will not have the opportunity to fly on the new aircraft. At one point, he even personally intervened in this contract and ordered the traditional livery of Air Force One to be changed from white and blue to red, white, and blue. However, this was canceled by Joe Biden, as Boeing requested additional money and time for the change.
Another detail adds even more symbolism. The two airliners being converted into Air Force One presidential planes have a "Russian connection." Back in 2011, two Boeing 747-8 Intercontinentals were ordered by the Russian airline Transaero, but the airline went bankrupt before they could take delivery. These are the very planes that Boeing directed for conversion to Air Force One.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that the last Boeing 747 rolled off the assembly line in December 2022, and these aircraft are no longer being produced.
Consequently, the Doomsday planes E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post (AACP) will be reconfigured from used passenger liners that previously flew with Korean Air.