Converting luxury jet gifted to Trump into Air Force One could cost hundreds of millions

[Nevilledog]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/13/politics/converting-jet-air-force-one-trump-cost

CNN
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Converting a luxury jet gifted by Qatar to President Donald Trump into a replacement for Air Force One could potentially cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and it could take up two years to install the necessary security equipment, communications and defensive capabilities for it to be safely used by the commander in chief, current and former officials told CNN.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz said Tuesday that the plane “poses significant espionage and surveillance problems.” Across the aisle, Democratic Sen. Jack Reed, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said accepting it would pose “immense counterintelligence risks by granting a foreign nation potential access to sensitive systems and communications.”

Trump exclaimed in a social media post on Sunday that the Defense Department would be receiving a “GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily.” The move would raise numerous ethics questions given the value of the jet, but it also raises serious questions about the security of an aircraft that could be used by the president to ensure continuity of government in an emergency situation.

It has been estimated the jet is worth $400 million, but a person a person familiar with the details of the potential plan said the value of the Qatari aircraft is closer to $250 million. Overhauling it, according to administration estimates the person has been briefed on, could cost as much as three times that, or more.

*snip*

Turning Qatari 747 into Air Force One could cost $1 billion and take years, experts say

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/turning-qatari-747-air-force-one-cost-1-billion-take-years-experts-say-rcna206582

Converting a Qatari-owned 747 jet into a new Air Force One for President Donald Trump would involve installing multiple top-secret systems, cost over $1 billion and take years to complete, three aviation experts told NBC News.

They said that accepting the 13-year-old jet would likely cost U.S. taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars over time, noting that refurbishing the commercial plane would exceed its current value of $400 million. The project might also not be completed by the end of Trump’s term in 2029, at which time the plane is expected to be handed over to Trump’s presidential library foundation.

Richard Aboulafia, an analyst and consultant on commercial and military aviation, said he thought turning the Qatari jetliner into Air Force One would cost billions and take years.

“You’re taking a 747, disassembling it, reassembling it, and then jacking it up to a very high level,” said Aboulafia, a managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory, a consulting firm.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

*snip*

[msongs]

1. first they'd have to find the hidden bombs nt

[underpants]

2. Read here that Lawrence O'Donnell predicted he wouldn't take it. More from the article

and the ability to shield against an electromagnetic pulse.

A conventional 747 aircraft does not have the ability to refuel mid-air, which would be necessary if Trump wants to be able to remain airborne for a substantial amount of time — a crucial capability in the event of a nuclear attack, for example.

Concerns about the security of the aircraft aside, it remains unclear when the jet would be handed over to the US or to what extent it will be used. The Secret Service official told CNN they “highly doubt” the administration takes the jet. Qatar’s media attaché to the US, Ali Al-Ansari said Sunday that the “possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One” is “under consideration.”

[3catwoman3]

3. My husband is a retired Air Force pilot. His last assignment was in the special missions...

...squadron that flies all the VIP airplanes out of Andrews AFB (now JOint Base Andrews). Altho he was not an Air Force One pilot, he knows a lot about that plane, and says there is nothing at all wrong with it and no need for it to be replaced. It is the best maintained airplane in the world.

He says Air Force One has about 6 million parts.

[Srkdqltr]

4. He will probably use it without a retrofit.

[RainCaster]

5. He should

TSF needs to use that plane 'as is', since he's such a great "deal maker". No way our taxes should be used to refurb that flying palace. It's a whorehouse, not something reflective of the office of the POTUS. It wouldn't be ready until he's left office anyhow.

[yellowcanine]

6. It's a fuckin' USED plane with none of the security

upgrades of AF1. It would cost hundreds of millions to refurbish it to AF1 standards. The ONLY thing it has is fancier (by trumpian standards) upholstery.