US Edition
US Air Force Has Begun Modifying Donated Qatar Jet that Could Be New Air Force One
The Boeing 747 donated by Qatar is undergoing extensive retrofitting by multiple U.S. agencies to meet security and communication needs, with costs expected under $400 million.
- On Monday, the U.S. Air Force began modifying a Boeing 747 donated earlier this year by Qatar, directed by the Secretary of War for executive airlift support.
- Earlier this year Qatar donated a VIP-configured 747-8 that President Donald Trump accepted in early 2025, prompting its conversion amid Boeing's $3.5 billion VC-25B program delays.
- U.S. spy and security agencies will oversee an overhaul stripping the aircraft to its frame, involving the Secret Service, Central Intelligence Agency , National Security Agency , and White House Communications Agency; a retired senior military official said it could take several months to two years.
- Bipartisan critics warned `it poses significant espionage and surveillance problems`, while supporters argue it provides operational benefits; President Donald Trump said he could fly on it as soon as February 2026.
- If Air Force Secretary Troy Meink's timeline holds, the converted jet could be ready as soon as 2026; he said the retrofit likely costs under $400 million, funded by the LGM-35A Sentinel program, though much remains classified.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Amid secrecy and scrutiny, US Air Force begins work on Qatar-gifted 747
The US Air Force has quietly started converting a Boeing 747-8 donated earlier this year by the government of Qatar into a specialized aircraft for executive transport. While the Pentagon has confirmed the handover, much of the scope, cost, and contracting arrangements for the conversion project remain classified, fueling political debate in Washington. President Donald Trump formally accepted the Qatari 747-8 in early 2025. The jet, previously…
(Dan Tri) - The US has begun converting the plane that Qatar donated this summer to turn it into Air Force One for the President.
USAF Starts Modifying 747 to Serve as Air Force One
The Air Force has started modifying a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar for “executive airlift,” a spokesperson said Sept. 15. President Donald Trump has said he wants to fly the jet as “Air Force One” since new presidential transports, held up by delays, won’t be ready until after his term is over. “As directed by the Secretary of War, the Air Force is modifying a Boeing 747 aircraft for Executive Airlift support,” the Air Force spokesperson said in…
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