2/27/2018

AIR FORCE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump and Boeing have struck a deal over the development of two new Air Force One planes at a price tag of $3.9 billion, the White House and Boeing said Tuesday [2-27-18], and the President has asked for the planes to be ready by 2021.
Trump met with Boeing executives last Tuesday in the White House to finalize the deal.
Two officials said the President asked for the new plane to be done by 2021, the beginning of what would be a second term, which is three years sooner than the original plan of 2024. The two 747s are in California now, an official said, and Boeing will be done upgrading the planes by then, but the Air Force testing requirements could take an additional three years… For months, the President has been fixated on a new plane and has repeatedly told his aides that he wants the plane to be completed for his second term. It’s an open question whether that can happen — given a lengthy Air Force testing time.
The White House is touting this as a saving of more than $1 billion from the original estimate of $5 billion… But the cost savings aren’t entirely clear.
Trump — shortly after winning the presidency in 2016 — tweeted that the planes would cost $4 billion, not $5 billion.
A Boeing official said the price includes work to develop and build two presidential aircraft, including features unique to Air Force One such as a communications suite, internal and external stairs, large galleys and other equipment, as well as structural changes designed to protect and sustain the President and those on board for an extended period of time.”

-Jeff Zeleny and Dan Merica, “Trump strikes $3.9 billion deal with Boeing for new Air Force One,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, Feb. 27, 2018 11:53am