Boeing to build ‘red, white and blue’ Air Force One plane
Jul 18, 2018, 12:07 PM | Updated: 1:45 pm
In this April 6, 2017, file photo, members of the White House press corps board Air Force One before the arrival of President Donald Trump at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Trump says Air Force One is getting a patriotic makeover. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
Boeing is building the most patriotic Air Force One planes ever made for future presidents.
On Tuesday, the Department of Defense confirmed that Boeing was awarded a “firm-fixed-price” contract of $3.9 billion to build two identical 787-8s.
And they will definitely be American. According to President Trump, the planes will no longer be white and baby blue. They will be red, white, and blue.
“Air Force One is going to be incredible. It’s gonna be the top of the line, the top in the world,” Trump said. “And it’s gonna be red, white and blue, which I think is appropriate.”
Trump told CBS News that he was able to save $1.5 billion for the order — White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the original proposal was approximately $5.3 billion.
Earlier in his presidency, Trump called the costs for Air Force One “out of control,” and tweeted to “Cancel order!” That led to meetings with Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg, who made “great progress.”
The new Air Force One planes are expected to be complete by 2024.
Work on the 787-8 will be performed in San Antonio.
747-200 versus 747-8
The new Air Force One planes will emit 16 tons less emissions per trip.
The 747-8 commercial jet can fly from D.C. to Hong Kong without refueling. In other words, about 1,000 miles farther than the 747-200. It has a slightly faster cruising speed and higher maximum takeoff weight.
The 747-8 will be 18 feet 4 inches longer than the current Air Force One planes.
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