US Air Force purchases two used Lufthansa 747-8 jets for training fleet support.
Key Points
- 1US Air Force committed $400 million to purchase two used Boeing 747-8 aircraft from German carrier Lufthansa.
- 2Acquisition is strategic, securing long-term training and maintenance assets since Boeing halted 747-8 passenger production.
- 3The jets will support the future VC-25B presidential fleet by providing essential training for pilots and maintenance crews.
The United States Air Force (USAF) has finalized a deal to acquire two used Boeing 747-8 passenger aircraft from German flag carrier Lufthansa. The acquisition, valued at approximately $400 million, is intended to bolster the service's support and training fleet in preparation for the delivery of the next generation of presidential aircraft, designated VC-25B, which are based on the 747-8 platform.
This strategic purchase is necessitated by the cessation of passenger 747-8 production by Boeing. By securing these aircraft now, the USAF aims to establish a robust, long-term operational and maintenance strategy for the highly specialized VC-25B fleet. The aircraft will primarily serve as training platforms for pilots, ground crews, and maintenance personnel, ensuring readiness for the complex systems inherent in the presidential transport mission.
The procurement ensures that the Air Force can develop expertise on the specific airframe variant that forms the basis of the future Air Force One jets, mitigating future supply chain risks associated with parts and specialized tooling. This proactive approach is deemed critical as the VC-25B program continues its development phase, which is expected to take several more years before the aircraft enter service.
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