This article summarizes reporting by CBS News and Joe Walsh.

Air Force Targets Summer 2026 for Launch of Qatari-Donated “Air Force One”

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that a Boeing 747-8, originally donated by the government of Qatar, is undergoing final preparations to serve as the primary transport for President Trump. According to reporting by CBS News, the aircraft could enter service as early as this summer, significantly ahead of the schedule for the purpose-built VC-25B fleet.

This timeline suggests the President may begin flying on the refurbished jumbo jet within months. While the aircraft will effectively function as “Air Force One” whenever the President is on board, military officials have designated the project as “executive airlift support” to distinguish it from the delayed VC-25B program intended to replace the aging fleet later this decade.

From Royal Transport to Presidential Service

The aircraft, a Boeing 747-8 registered as N7478D, was originally delivered in 2012 to Qatar Amiri Flight, the VIP airline serving the Qatari royal family. Known for its low flight hours and lavish interior, often described as a “flying palace”, the jet was gifted to the U.S. Department of Defense to serve as an interim solution for presidential travel.

According to details emerging from the refurbishment program, the aircraft is currently located at the L3Harris Technologies facility in Waco, Texas. Engineers are working to retrofit the commercial VVIP aircraft with necessary security and communication upgrades. The goal is to bridge the operational gap left by the current VC-25A fleet, which consists of two Boeing 747-200s delivered in 1990 that are increasingly expensive to maintain and prone to mechanical delays.

Funding and Cost Controversies

The rapid integration of the Qatari jet has sparked debate regarding its cost and funding sources. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink has testified that the retrofit will likely cost “probably less than $400 million.” However, critics and some Democratic lawmakers estimate the total lifecycle and modification costs could eventually exceed $1 billion.

To finance the refurbishment, the Air Force acknowledged diverting funds from the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program. Military officials stated these funds were “excess to need” for the current fiscal year due to delays within the Sentinel program itself, allowing the budget to be reallocated to the aircraft’s modification.

Operational Capabilities vs. Security Concerns

While the Qatari jet offers a modern airframe, it differs significantly from the traditional “Air Force One” specifications. Because the aircraft is being retrofitted rather than built from the ground up for presidential service, it is expected to lack certain military-grade capabilities.

Reports indicate the jet is unlikely to feature mid-air refueling capabilities or the same level of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) hardening found in the current VC-25A or the future VC-25B. The refurbishment focuses on installing classified secure communications, defensive countermeasures against missile threats, and medical suites.

Security experts have also raised concerns regarding the aircraft’s foreign origins. Intelligence officials have emphasized the need for a complete “strip-down” of the airframe to ensure no foreign surveillance devices or “bugs” remain from its time in Qatari service.

AirPro News analysis

The introduction of the Qatari 747-8 represents a significant shift in presidential airlift strategy, prioritizing expediency over the “flying bunker” philosophy that has defined the fleet for decades. By utilizing a “used” commercial derivative, the Air Force is acknowledging that the reliability of the current 35-year-old fleet has become a critical liability.

However, this stopgap measure creates a two-tier presidential fleet. The President will soon have access to a modern, comfortable jet that lacks the ultimate survivability of a true military command post. This distinction between “Air Force One” as a call sign and “Air Force One” as a hardened military asset will require careful operational management, particularly during times of heightened geopolitical tension.

Ethical Scrutiny

Beyond the technical specifications, the donation has drawn ethical scrutiny regarding the Foreign Emoluments Clause. Critics argue that the gift from the Qatari government could be viewed as benefiting President Trump personally, particularly following statements from the administration that the aircraft might be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library after his term concludes.

Despite these concerns, the Air Force is proceeding with the summer 2026 target, driven by the immediate need for a reliable aircraft to support the presidency until the delayed VC-25B fleet arrives in 2027 or 2028.

Sources

• CBS News