Air Force One to Undergo Security Enhancements
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Air Force One to Undergo Security Enhancements
- The Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8, which began service as Air Force One on July 1, 2026, will undergo further upgrades.
- President Donald Trump announced on July 19, 2026, that the jet would be "maxed out" with additional security features.
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President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, July 19, 2026, that the new Air Force One aircraft, a Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar, would be taken out of service for approximately a month to receive “maxed out” security upgrades. This decision follows reports questioning the plane’s defensive capabilities, particularly its anti-missile systems, compared to the older presidential jets.
The aircraft, designated as the VC-25B Bridge, began its service as Air Force One on July 1, 2026. Concerns about its security reportedly led to President Trump switching to an older Air Force One for a portion of his trip from Turkey to the United Kingdom on July 8. The New York Times reported on July 9 that the new plane lacked certain countermeasures, prompting an investigation by the FBI into the leaks and subpoenas issued to journalists.
The rapid refurbishment of the Qatari-donated jet, spearheaded by defense contractor L3Harris Technologies, took approximately 10 months. This quick turnaround raised skepticism among some experts and lawmakers regarding whether all necessary security measures could be fully implemented within that timeframe. While the Air Force has stated that no risks were taken regarding security, safety, or communications, the upcoming upgrades aim to enhance its capabilities further. The new plane is intended to serve as a temporary replacement while Boeing continues work on two purpose-built 747-8s under a $3.