The Air Force this week awarded Boeing a $3.9 billion firm, fixed-price contract to formally launch the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program's engineering and manufacturing development phase, which was hailed as a win by the White House after months of hashing out a cost estimate. Under the new contract, Boeing will design and deliver two 747-8 jets to replace the three-decades-old pair of VC-25As by December 2024. The agreement is undefinitized, according to a July 17 Defense Department contract announcement. Service...
