USAF offers rare glimpse of VC-25B configurations

The US Air Force’s $3.9 billion contracts with Boeing to modify two 747-8 commercial airliners into VC-25B presidential aircraft, commonly known as Air Force One, offered a rare glimpse into the aircraft configurations. The aircraft’s modifications will include integration of a military GPS into its flight management system and identification friend-or-foe capabilities, according to a Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition document filed by the USAF. Boeing was selected as the programme’s prime contractor without competition as no other company has the knowledge of the 747-8 needed to heavily modify without significant increases in price, according to the justification.