Qatari 747-8I as 'Bridge' VC-25B replacement

fightingirish said:
IIRC, this VC-25B 'Bridge' is not intended to operate in contested airspace or land in combat zones, unlike the VC-25A with former POTUS. That's why it doesn't have countermeasures systems.
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It wouldn't really need such systems if it's going to stay in North America.

quellish said:
in 2028 the aircraft will be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation.
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And I have no doubt that as soon as a Democrat is in the Oval Office it will be transferred someone where else.
 
POTUS 47 has confirmed today, that he will be using the new jet for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, next month.
He mentioned that he plans to return to China 'at some point,' likely referring to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that China will host in November.
So this aircraft would probably not fly to an Air Force Base in the Middle East, compared when POTUS 43 flew to visit the troops in Iraq for Thanksgiving 20 years ago.
Source:
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/...air-force-one-a-converted-qatari-jet-00969056
 
quellish said:
If they did not install defensive systems I wonder where the $728m they spent on modifying it went. I also wonder if it will be demilitarized before transfer to civilian ownership.
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USAF comms gear and VVIP interior. Neither one of which are cheap.
 
NMaude said:
And I have no doubt that as soon as a Democrat is in the Oval Office it will be transferred someone where else.
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The Trump Presidential Library Foundation is a private (but also tax-exempt) organization chaired by Eric Trump that's currently being used to accrue both "donations" as well as cash settlements from Trump's various revenge lawsuits, with the stated goal of eventually building a billion-dollar 50-story glass skyscraper in Miami Florida with accompanying gold statue of Trump outside. It is a black box of corruption and self-dealing embezzlement, and the US government is never getting anything back from it unless the backlash gets so bad that the government just starts seizing all of his private assets like he's a drug lord.

POTUS 47 has confirmed today, that he will be using the new jet for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, next month.
He mentioned that he plans to return to China 'at some point,' likely referring to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that China will host in November.
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So, in other words, yes, they will be flying the countermeasure-less AF1 outside of the continental US, and someone is going to theoretically have a shot at the single most hilarious MANPADS kill in history.
 
JS23 said:
It is a black box of corruption and self-dealing embezzlement, and the US government is never getting anything back from it unless the backlash gets so bad that the government just starts seizing all of his private assets like he's a drug lord.
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I have no doubt that once Trump is gone the US government is going to drop onto his business "Empire" like the proverbial ton of bricks and take the whole thing apart (His two oldest sons, Fredo and Dumbarse, will no doubt be spending a nice long "Vacation" in the Big House).

JS23 said:
So, in other words, yes, they will be flying the countermeasure-less AF1 outside of the continental US, and someone is going to theoretically have a shot at the single most hilarious MANPADS kill in history.
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I'm quite certain that the Secret Service would veto in a heartbeat Trump flying it outside of North America.
 
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I know objectivity goes out of the window when politics are involved sometimes but seriously, the thread has had a severe swerve. It's not like it's N908JE, it's just the usual graft.
 
Qatar-Gifted 747 In Final Stages Of ‘Air Force One’ Preparation

While many of the specifics have not been disclosed, the Air Force says this aircraft was modified with advanced technologies to meet the requirements of the mission. As Aviation Week first reported in January, the interior of the aircraft will remain largely the same. It is not clear how extensively the 747 has been modified for self-protection, which is a large driver of the work on the Boeing VC-25Bs that have been in development for several years. The Air Force announcement states some of the capabilities have been skipped.

“No risk was taken in security, safety or mission communications, but the collective team made trades on some of the less commonly used mission sets that Boeingmust deliver to support the next 40 years,” the service said in the announcement.
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My bolding.
 
EmoBirb said:
The only eyesore is the flag on the vertical stabilizer imo

Edit: to clarify, not the flag itself, but the chosen style and size.
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I dunno, I think I prefer the flag rippling over just a plain flag painted flat.

It's okay to be proud of your country. Just never be so proud of your country that you're no longer willing to call out things that aren't living up to the founding documents!
 
snne said:
I actually dig that too, it's got a nice retro feel to it. Overall, as much as I hate governments wasting money, the jet looks great.
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It has to be painted. I doubt the cost of the color chosen would make a difference worth caring about.
 
I saw it arrive at Mildenhall last night so here are my photos below, (was half expecting it to slander on Runway 28 but landed on Runway 10).

Cheers
 

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So what caused the issue that made Trump not use it and go for the old Air Force One plane? Neadless to say I was surprised at that because he flew out in it.
 
Too right about the 747 being the most beautiful aircraft of it's type ever made, I know I flew in one going to Los Angeles on holiday a long time ago.
 
GK. Dundas said:
Unfortunately Bribeforce one on doesn't come with all the extras that a VC25 usually comes with because some of that extra spicy goodness has to be installed while it construction. Not after the fact.
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Jesus. :rolleyes:
 
TomS said:
That's what happens when you restart a war while you're in the splash zone. Suddenly that Emir's flying palace looks a lot less safe than the hardened veteran.
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Is the plan to eventually modify it or is it going to remain a VIP transport?
 
Well if the most common reports have any validity. After President Trump leaves office it will be " gifted" to his Presidential Libary to go along with the one book
 
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GK. Dundas said:
Well if the most common reports have sny validity. After President Trump leaves office it will be " gifted" to his Presidential Libary to go along with the one book
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So at worst it will be government owned? Maybe you could explain how that's a personal bribe then?
 
Sferrin said:
So at worst it will be government owned? Maybe you could explain how that's a personal bribe then?
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It's not going to be given to NARA or OPL, which have no use for nor means of operating it. They've stated it would be transferred to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation Inc. This entity was created after it's predecessor, the Donald J Trump Presidential Library Fund, was forcibly dissolved by the state of Florida due to it's failure to report financials in accordance with FL law. The new entity claims to be a charity, a charity which is planning to build a billion-dollar luxury hotel and entertainment complex in downtown Miami to serve as the "Donald J Trump Presidential Library." So, rather than being government-owned, this aircraft will be in the hands of a private "charity" fully controlled by the Trump family and allies, and it will most likely be used to shuttle them and their high-roller guests between various Trump properties.
 
Moose said:
It's not going to be given to NARA or OPL, which have no use for nor means of operating it. They've stated it would be transferred to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation Inc. This entity was created after it's predecessor, the Donald J Trump Presidential Library Fund, was forcibly dissolved by the state of Florida due to it's failure to report financials in accordance with FL law. The new entity claims to be a charity, a charity which is planning to build a billion-dollar luxury hotel and entertainment complex in downtown Miami to serve as the "Donald J Trump Presidential Library." So, rather than being government-owned, this aircraft will be in the hands of a private "charity" fully controlled by the Trump family and allies, and it will most likely be used to shuttle them and their high-roller guests between various Trump properties.
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Yeah, that's not cool. Even if it might be legal, the optics just look bad. Thought it was just part of the standard gov-owned "Presidential Library" that many Presidents seem to have.
 
I strongly suspect once a Democrat is back in the Oval Office the Trump Library WILL lose control of Bribeforce One and it will be returned to USGOV control.
 
Hello folks, in my view, another reason why POTUS  47 chose to fly from Türkiye to the UK on the older VC‑25A is that he wanted a platform with proved secure communications systems (SATCOM) where he could hold classified discussions about the situation in the Gulf.
BTW, I understand that on the new VC-25B, WiFi access is not permitted for accompanying press during flight.
 

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