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Air Force negotiating for Air Force One 747s originally slated for Russian airline

By Stephen Carlson
The Air Force is negotiating to buy two 747-8s from Boeing, which were originally slated to go to a now-defunct Russian airline, to be modified for use as the next Air Force One. Photo courtesy of the White House
The Air Force is negotiating to buy two 747-8s from Boeing, which were originally slated to go to a now-defunct Russian airline, to be modified for use as the next Air Force One. Photo courtesy of the White House

Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force is in the process of finalizing a deal with Boeing for the purchase of two 747-8 passenger jets once slated for a now defunct Russian airline.

Defense One reported Tuesday the contract could be announced as early as this week, though the Air Force and Boeing say the deal is still coming together.

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"We're working through the final stages of coordination to purchase two commercial 747-8 aircraft and expect to award a contract soon," Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek told UPI.

Boeing spokeswoman Caroline Hutcheson told UPI that the deal is still under final negotiations.

"We are working towards a deal for the 747-8s that will provide the best value for the Air Force," Hutcheson said.

The two 747-8s were originally slated for the now bankrupt Russian airline Transaero. The order had been placed in 2013, with down payment, but the planes were never delivered for lack of follow-up payments.

"We do have the the EMD contract for Air Force One, though future work would require modifications," Hutcheson said about Boeing's future role with the aircraft.

Engineering, and Manufacturing Development involves design, capability, and production demonstrations for developing and modifying aircraft. The conventional 747-8s would receive a host of modifications before assuming the Air Force One role, such as communications and command-and-control gear, hardening against EMP and other threats, and interior redesign for conference rooms and living quarters.

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Aeroflot absorbed most of Transaeros fleet following the bankruptcy but declined to accept Transaeros 747-8 orders. The planes have been mothballed by Boeing at the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville pending a future sale.

President Donald Trump has criticized the high price tag for previously planned new Air Force Ones, which was expected to be up to $3.2 billion. Trump publicly called for the contract to be canceled concerning the construction of new planes.

It is not known what the Air Force would pay for the 747-8s, but a new 747 typically goes for around $380 million, depending on options and the number of aircraft purchased.

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