New Air Force One Delivery Delayed to Mid-2028

The delivery of the new VC-25B Air Force One aircraft is now delayed, with the U.S. Air Force expecting the first plane in mid-2028.

The delivery of the next-generation Air Force One aircraft, the militarized Boeing 747-8 known as the VC-25B, has been delayed again and is now expected in mid-2028. The U.S. Air Force confirmed the schedule shift, citing ongoing complexities in the customization and testing of the highly classified presidential transport. This delay underscores the significant technical challenges and security requirements involved in building the flying command center, impacting the long-term planning for the Presidential Airlift Group.

This program delay contrasts with the original timeline and reflects the unique difficulties of modifying a commercial airframe into a survivable, mobile national command authority. Completing the intricate mission systems integration and communications suites is the critical deliverable causing the pushback. This matters because it extends the service life of the aging current VC-25A fleet, raising concerns about operational reliability and maintenance costs, while postponing the deployment of advanced secure command and control capabilities for the presidency.

For Boeing, defense contractors, and government oversight bodies, the implications are financial and reputational. This delay necessitates further program management scrutiny and adjustments to contractual terms and budget allocations. The forecast is for continued congressional oversight hearings focused on cost overruns and schedule performance. Decision-makers must now manage supply chain issues and workforce continuity to prevent further slippage. The next imperative is to ensure that the extended development time is used to rigorously test and validate every system, guaranteeing that when delivered, the new VC-25B meets its unparalleled standards for security, reliability, and global presidential transport without compromise.