Boeing’s first new Air Force One jet aims for power-on this year, 2027 maiden flight

Boeing expects to energize the first of two VC-25B presidential transport aircraft later this year, with a first flight targeted for 2027, according to a senior US Air Force official overseeing the long-delayed program.

General Dale White, the Air Force’s director of critical major weapon systems, said the airframer has made significant headway after years of schedule slips and cost growth on the program, which will replace the two ageing VC-25A aircraft — military variants of the Boeing 747-200 that currently carry the US president. The replacement jets are being converted from newer 747-8 airframes.

“Boeing has done a tremendous job moving the needle back in the other direction,” White said on 14 September at the Air & Space Forces Association’s annual conference near Washington, DC, adding that the program is “on track to hit some pretty key milestones.” He noted he makes regular visits to inspect the two aircraft under conversion.

The immediate priority, according to White, is completing the installation and termination of electrical wiring across the lead aircraft — work that will allow the jet’s systems to be powered on for the first time.

A bridge aircraft fills the gap

With the replacement jets behind schedule and the existing VC-25A fleet increasingly difficult to maintain, the Trump Administration directed creation of an interim “bridge” aircraft: a 747-based Boeing Business Jet donated by the government of Qatar and converted for presidential transport duty by L3Harris Technologies.

That interim VC-25B entered presidential service over the summer. Its early deployments drew scrutiny, including a trip to Turkey during which President Trump reportedly departed Ankara on a different aircraft over a security concern. The bridge jet most recently supported Trump’s visit to the Republic of Ireland last week.

Despite the controversy surrounding the aircraft’s origins, White indicated the Air Force is satisfied with the interim jet’s performance as it bridges the gap until the purpose-built VC-25Bs arrive.

L3Harris shares were recently trading at $252.52, down 1.26% from the prior close of $255.74, valuing the company at roughly $48.8 billion. The company, which operates across segments including Space & Mission Systems and Communications & Spectrum Dominance, has not disclosed financial terms tied to the bridge conversion work.

Source: original release

What to watch

• Power-on of the lead VC-25B, targeted for later this year, and confirmation of remaining wiring termination work.
• Progress toward the 2027 first flight milestone and any updates to the delivery timeline for both aircraft.
• Boeing’s quarterly earnings commentary on fixed-price program performance.
• Further operational use of the VC-25B Bridge aircraft on presidential travel.