PHOTO: The current Air Force One, a Boeing VC-25. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/Getty Images)
The most iconic plane in the world will be replaced with a new version.
To no one's surprise, the United States Air Force has chosen Boeing to build and customize a new Air Force One.
Well, two, actually.
The President has two planes at his disposal and both will reach their 30-year service level in 2017. Boeing, based in Everett, Wash., was the obvious choice as only it and Airbus make the large, four-engine aircrafts. It was doubtful the USAF was going to choose a French company and the A-380 over Boeing and its 747-8.
"The presidential aircraft is one of the most visible symbols of the United States of America and the office of the president of the United States," Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said in a statement. "The Boeing 747-8 is the only aircraft manufactured in the United States [that], when fully missionized, meets the necessary capabilities established to execute the presidential support mission, while reflecting the office of the president of the United States of America consistent with the national public interest."
Building the fleet is expected to take up to five years as both aircraft need to be fitted with specialized communications, a living quarters for the President and his family, intricate security systems and more.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Air Force has said it will budget $1.65 billion between 2015 and 2019 for two replacement jets.
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