Lawmakers propose legacy Air Force One retirement by end of 2025

House lawmakers suggest the Air Force should retire the current presidential aircraft fleet by the end of 2025, shortly after their replacements are ready for operations.

The House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee's mark of the fiscal year 2019 defense policy bill, released April 25, includes a provision to retire the two VC-25A aircraft now used as Air Force One by Dec. 31, 2025. Two VC-25B jets, based on the Boeing 747-8, are slated for delivery in 2024. Boeing supplies both platforms.

The proposed legislation recommends full funding for the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program, according to a committee staffer. The Air Force asked for $673 million for PAR research and development in its FY-19 budget request.

Mark-up language would also require the Air Force secretary to compete two separate, five-year logistics support contracts for the new pair of VC-25B jets selected for the presidential aircraft replacement after the first five years are done.

Boeing is preparing to start engineering and manufacturing development in August, according to the Government Accountability Office's annual audit of major defense acquisition programs. Inside Defense recently reported Boeing received about $24 million last month to mature its design ahead of EMD and is in the process of drawing up a cost proposal that supports the company's recent agreement with President Trump to set the program's price at $3.9 billion. A request for EMD proposals is expected by the end of June before the service sets its official cost baseline.