Air Force One Jets May Be Obsolete Before Delivery

The US Air Force's new presidential jets, being built at Port San Antonio, may be obsolete by the time they're delivered in 2028 and 2029. The Pentagon's report to Congress says that the communications system planned for the jets is 'not viable past CY 2028 due to cybersecurity and obsolescence issues.'

The delays in the program have already pushed back the delivery date four years, with the original schedule calling for the jets to be completed by 2024. The report highlights problems with the passenger windows and a lack of spare windshields, which could slow progress on the jets.

Window vendor GKN Aerospace has been unable to deliver windows without defects, and the original windshield maker shut down. Boeing has contracted with PPG Industries to restart production of the windshields.

The Pentagon has requested $555.2 million for the program in 2027, nearly $102 million or 23% more than previously planned. Some of this amount is expected to go toward updating the communications tech, which was approved last year with only half the requested funds.